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HISTORICAL  ADDRESSi! 


BF.fORK    THK 


CHURCH  OF  CHRIST 


XOKTH  COYKXTHY.  COXX 


AT    THEIR     K1RST 


CENffENNIAL   CELEBRATION, 

October  I).   1^  I J. 


Bv    UKORGK    A.    CALHOUN, 

P.V-TDR     UK    THK     CHURCH. 


'A 

CO 


1 

BE 


HARTFORD : 

PRESS    OF    CASK.    TIFFANY 
1846. 


in 

HISTORICAL  ADDRESS, 


BEFORE    THE 


CHUECH  OF  CHEIST 


NORTH  COVENTRY,  CONN., 

AT   THEIR    FIRST 

/ 

CENTENNIAL   CELEBRATION, 

October  9th,    1845, 


BY   GEORGE    A.    CALHOUN, 

PASTOR  OP  THE  CHUECH. 


HARTFORD: 

PRESS   OF  CASE,  TIFFANY   &  BURNHAM. 
1846. 


The  following  Address,  published  at  their  request,  is  affec- 
tionately dedicated  to  the  Church  of  Christ  in  North  Coventry, 
by  the  Author. 

COVENTRY,  Oct.  10th,  1845. 


ADDRESS. 


THE  origin  and  annals  of  a  small  religious  community, 
in  a  retired  country  parish,  can  present  but  few  incidents  to 
interest  the  feelings,  or  attract  the  attention  of  the  multi- 
tude. And  the  event  which  we  are  assembled  to  commemo- 
rate has  been  deemed  worthy  of  but  an  obscure  place  in 
history.  Few,  very  few  have  been  made  acquainted  with 
the  fact,  that  on  the  8th  day  of  October  1745,  a  church  of 
Christ  was  organized  in  this  place,  and  that  on  the  day  fol- 
lowing Rev.  Nathan  Strong  was  ordained  their  pastor.  But 
however  trivial  the  celebration  of  a  church's  birth-day,  and 
the  calling  to  remembrance  the  virtues  and  deeds  of  our 
ancestors  may  appear  to  some,  your  coming  together,  my 
friends,  bespeaks  an  interest  in  the  present  occasion.  And 
grateful  are  we,  who  here  statedly  worship  the  God  of  our 
fathers,  that  we  are  allowed  the  privilege  of  meeting  at  this 
time  so  many  of  our  acquaintance  from  other  churches  and 
congregations.  We  welcome  them  to  a  participation  with 
us  in  the  mutual  greetings,  grateful  recollections,  and  reli- 
gious sympathies  of  the  occasion.  We  rejoice  in  this  favor- 
able opportunity  once  more,  within  these  consecrated  walls, 
of  mingling  in  devotional  services  with  those  from  abroad, 
who  are  natives  of  this  place,  or  who  were  once  members 
of  this  congregation.  We  welcome  them  to  the  sanctuary, 
the  homes,  and  the  sepulchres  of  their  fathers  and  early 
associates.  And  with  pleasure  we  anticipate  the  privilege 
of  again  welcoming  many  of  them  to  the  table  of  our  com- 
mon Lord. 


2013145 


And,  my  honored  father,*  we  thank  God,  that  he  has 
permitted  you  to  approach  so  near  to  your  centennary,  and 
has  granted  you  strength  to  be  here  and  to  aid  your  breth- 
ren in  commemorating  events  and  deeds  of  past  genera- 
tions. May  your  long  protracted  life  and  usefulness  be 
continued ;  and  when,  in  God's  good  time,  you  are  called 
to  follow  your  generation  to  the  world  of  spirits,  may  you 
then  be  engaged  with  the  general  assembly  of  the  church 
of  the  first  born  in  celebrating  that  great  event  on  which 
rest  all  our  hopes  of  salvation. 

What  though  we  have  not,  in  referring  to  the  commence- 
ment and  continuance  of  a  church  of  Christ,  mighty  deeds 
and  wonderful  providences  to  notice  ;  is  it  useless  to  com- 
memorate a  church's  birth-day,  contemplate  the  characters 
and  doings  of  its  members,  and  meditate  on  the  dealings  of 
God  with  them?  God  directed  his  people,  by  religious 
observances,  to  celebrate  the  deliverance  of  Israel  from 
Egyptian  bondage,  the  promulgation  of  the  law  at  Mount 
Sinai,  the  death  and  resurrection  of  Christ,  and  other  events. 
He  would  have  these  events  retained  in  memory,  and 
brought  from  time  to  time  distinctly  to  the  view  of  succeed- 
ing generations,  that  they  might  be  under  the  conservative 
influence  of  such  contemplations.  And  many,  very  many 
of  the  disasters  which  befall  the  churches  of  Christ  result 
from  a  disregard  to  the  experience  and  wisdom  of  former 
ages.  And  let  the  circumstances  and  principles  in  which 
our  churches  were  established  be  known  and  duly  appre- 
ciated ;  let  the  virtues  and  self-sacrificing  acts  of  our  fathers 
be  imitated  ;  and  let  God's  faithfulness  to  them  be  prayer- 
fully considered  ;  and  in  both  civil  and  religious  communi- 
ties there  will  be  more  stability,  more  subordination  to 
needful  authority,  more  of  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the 
bond  of  peace,  and  more  of  the  fear  of  God.  If  then  we  would 
seek  our  best  interests,  we  must  know,  as  an  eloquent 


*Rev.  Samuel  Nott  of  Franklin,  in  the  ninety-third  year  of  his  age,  and 
the  sixty-fifth  of  his  ministry,  who  was  present  in  compliance  with  a  special 
invitation. 


writer  observes,*  "  the  character  of  our  ancestry,  the 
principles  of  their  early  training,  the  perilous  or  prosperous 
passages  of  their  course,  on  what  rocks  they  were  in  danger 
of  foundering,  through  what  straits  they  with  difficulty  ran, 
to  what  causes  are  owing  the  more  peculiar  features  of  their 
moral  being,  the  events  which  awakened  their  energies  and 
developed  their  resources,  and,  in  short,  all  the  diversified 
experiences  of  their  past  life.  By  tracing  the  stream  from 
its  source  downward,  by  observing  the  occurrences  which 
follow  each  other  in  regular  sequence,  we  are  enabled  to 
discern  those  more  recondite  causes,  and  those  more  secret 
springs  of  action,  whence  have  flowed  events  universally 
admitted  it  may  be,  yet  hitherto  unexplained,  or  but  very 
partially  understood." 

And  is  there  not  something  in  our  natures,  which  we  shall 
do  well  to  cherish,  that  prompts  us  to  improve  occasions 
like  the  present?  What  person  of  common  sensibility  is 
there,  who  has  no  interest  in  visiting  the  place  of  his  birth, 
the  scenes  of  his  youthful  adventure,  the  valleys,  hills, 
mountains,  and  streams  where,  with  the  joyous  hope  and 
buoyant  spirit  of  childhood  he  roamed ;  the  dwelling  in 
which  he  was  nurtured  with  the  care  of  a  solicitous  father, 
and  the  love  of  a  fond  mother;  the  school  house  in  which, 
while  associated  with  some  who  are  dead,  and  with  others 
who  are  afar  off,  he  was  taught  the  rudiments  of  learning ; 
and  the  fields  and  groves  where  he  indulged  in  childish 
sports  and  commenced  the  labors  and  toils  of  life  1  Who 
is  there  that  has  not  an  interest — an  interest  it  may  be  "  both 
pleasant  and  painful  to  the  soul" — in  calling  to  mind  early 
associations  and  early  associates  ?  And  is  he  worthy  of  our 
respect  and  esteem,  who  does  not  manifest  a  regard  and 
reverence  for  his  ancestry?  We  love  to  gaze  at  the  por- 
traits of  our  parents,  refer  to  their  precepts,  tell  of  their 
deeds,  and  speak  of  their  virtues.  For  their  sakes,  we  love 
to  survey  anew  the  habitations  which  they  occupied,  the 
buildings  and  lands  which  they  possessed  and  where  they 

*  Rev.  Adam  Reid. 


6 

labored  ;  the  roads  which  they  were  accustomed  to  travel ; 
the  sanctuary  where  they  worshipped ;  and  the  cemetery 
where  they  were  interred.  We  love  to  possess  articles  of 
their  construction  ;  remains  of  their  furniture ;  specimens 
of  their  attires,  their  autographs,  their  favorite  books,  and 
their  bibles.  And  we  love  to  trace  up  the  line  of  our 
descent,  contemplate  the  circumstances,  characters,  and 
acts  of  our  progenitors,  until  it  is  lost  in  the  obscurity  of  the 
past.  And  what  if  they  were  not  of  noble  birth ;  what 
though  their  deeds  were  not  published  by  the  trumpet  of 
fame  ;  what  if  their  names  are  not  enrolled  on  the  page  of 
history  with  those  of  heroes  and  statesmen ;  what  if  they 
were  never  associated  with  the  wealthy,  the  learned,  or  the 
great ;  they  are  our  ancestors ;  as  such  we  respect  and 
revere  them,  and  are  interested  in  what  relates  to  them. 
And  although  the  providence  of  God  has  allotted  us  our 
homes  and  the  scenes  of  our  operations  in  a  region  undis- 
tinguished, and  we  are  the  descendants  of  those  who  pur-» 
sued  the  ordinary  walks  of  life  ;  we  trust  our  commemora- 
tion of  this  church's  organization  will  not  be  altogether 
uninteresting  or  unprofitable. 

This  religious  community  was,  for  about  thirty  years, 
embraced  in  what  is  now  denominated,  the  First  Church 
and  Society  in  Coventry :  and  it  is  needful  that  I  com- 
mence the  account  of  God's  dealings  with  this  people  by 
referring  to  events  which  transpired  previous  to  the  exis- 
tence of  two  churches  in  this  town. 

In  his  History  of  Connecticut,  Trumbull  says:  "A  town- 
ship had  been  given  several  years  before  this  time  (1711,)  by 
Joshua,  Sachem  of  the  Mohegans,  lying  north  of  Lebanon 
and  west  of  Mansfield,  to  certain  legatees  in  Hartford.  The 
donation  was  approved  by  the  General  Assembly.  The 
legatees  conveyed  their  right  to  William  Pitkin,  Joseph 
Talcott,  Willam  Whiting  and  Richard  Lord,  to  be  a  com- 
mittee to  lay  out  said  township,  and  settle  on  the  lands. 
On  the  9th  of  May  1706,  the  General  Assembly  authori- 
zed those  gentlemen  as  a  committee  for  those  purposes. 
October  11, 1711,  this  committee  was  re-appointed,  with  one 


Nathaniel  Rust,  who  had  already  settled  on  the  lands,  more 
effectually  to  carry  into  execution  the  designs  of  their 
former  appointment.  The  township  at  the  same  session 
was  named  Coventry.  Nathaniel  Rust  and  some  others 
settled  in  the  town  about  the  year  1700;  but  the  settlement 
of  it  has  generally  been  dated  from  1709.  In  the  spring 
of  this  year,  a  number  of  good  householders,  from  North  - 
hampton  and  other  places,  moved  into  the  town,  and  the 
inhabitants  were  so  increased  in  about  two  years,  that  they 
were  incorporated  with  the  privileges  of  other  towns.  The 
families  were  from  a  great  variety  of  places,  but  principally 
from  Northampton  and  Hartford." 

Curiosity  naturally  leads  us  to  inquire;  what  deeds  were 
acted  by  human  beings,  within  the  present  limits  of  this 
town,  previous  to  Nathaniel  Rust's  coming  here  in  1700  ? 
The  Pequoits  were  the  rightful  lords  of  our  hills  and  valleys, 
our  lake  and  streams  of  water;  and  after  them  the  Mohe- 
gans.  And  often,  in  former  days,  the  arrow  head  of  the 
Indian's  bow,  his  rude  stone  axe,  and  other  weapons  and 
implements  were  found  in  our  fields.  How  came  they 
there  1  How  were  they  used  1  Were  these  the  weapons 
of  the  chieftain  employed  in  bloody  conflict  with  other 
human  beings  ?  or  were  they  those  of  the  Indian  engaged  in 
the  chase?  They  are  the  memorials  of  a  race  of  men  now 
almost  extinct  in  New  England. 

A  direct  and  authentic  tradition  has  brought  down  to  us 
the  following  story  of  the  Indians  in  this  town.  There  was 
a  village  of  savages  in  the  valley  of  Hop  River,  not  far 
from  the  place  now  possessed  and  occupied  by  Mr.  Cyril 
Parker.  Mr.  Monroe  (on  the  town  records,  Merough)  the 
first  occupant  of  Mr.  Parker's  place  was  largely  engaged 
in  trapping,  and  the  Indians  purloined  his  game.  Repeat- 
edly he  complained  to  the  chief,  who  was  an  honest  man ; 
and  finally  he  informed  the  chief,  that  he  would  kill  the 
first  Indian  he  found  stealing  from  his  traps.  The  chief 
gave  his  consent  to  the  deed,  saying  he  did  not  wish  such  a 
person  to  live  among  his  people.  Early  one  morning  Mr. 
Monroe  saw  an  Indian  taking  an  otter  from  one  of  his  traps; 


8 

he  shot  him  and  with  haste  buried  him  under  the  wall  of 
his  house.  On  reflection  he  became  greatly  alarmed  in 
consequence  of  his  rash  deed,  expecting  the  Indians  would 
seek  revenge  ;  but  they  soon  after  abandoned  their,  village 
and  emigrated  to  some  other  part  of  the  country.  Not  many 
years  since,  on  removing  the  walls  of  that  dwelling,  the 
bones  of  this  Indian  were  found. 

In  the  early  settlement  of  this  parish,  there  were  indica- 
tions of  there  having  been  an  Indian  village  on  the  plain, 
now  possessed  by  Capt.  Flavel  Case;  and  that  plain,  in 
later  years,  has  been  fruitful  of  Indian  relics. 

At  the  period  of  the  settlement  of  Coventry,  if  we,  as  is 
common,  date  the  settlement  from  1709,  there  were  but 
two  towns  in  what  is  now  the  county  of  Tolland — Mansfield 
and  Hebron.  The  former  was  settled  in  1703,  and  the 
latter  in  1704.  Trumbull  informs  us,  that  at  its  settlement 
Coventry  was  bounded  on  the  east  by  Mansfield,  and  on 
the  south  by  Lebanon;  and  it  appears  from  other  sources  of 
information,  that  it  was  bounded  on  the  west  by  Hartford, 
and  that  the  present  town  of  Bolton  was  then  denominated, 
"  Hartford  Mountain." 

Here  was  the  field,  which  infinite  wisdom  selected  for 
planting  and  perpetuating,  through  succeeding  generations, 
a  church  of  Christ,  in  which  many  should  be  prepared  for 
heaven,  and  a  branch  of  which  we  have  received  as  an 
inheritance  from  our  fathers.  As  the  first  settlers  of  this 
town,  Providence  elected  those  from  Northampton,  Essex 
County  Mass.,  Hartford  and  other  places,  who  inherited 
the  virtues  of  their  Puritan  fathers.  Men  of  principle, 
of  conscience,  and  of  the  fear  of  God.  Men,  who  would 
not  rear  up  a  community  without  a  recognition  of  their 
dependence  on  God  and  obligations  to  serve  him.  Men, 
who  were  willing  to  labor  and  suffer  for  the  purpose  of 
securing  for  themselves  and  descendants  the  blessings  of  a 
stated  ministry  of  the  gospel.  Would  that  their  example  in 
this  particular,  were  universally  followed  by  their  descend- 
ants. Would  that  a  voice  might  be  heard  and  regarded  by 
all  the  dwellers  on  these  hills  and  in  these  valleys,  saying ; 


Look  at  your  fathers.  Drink  into  the  spirit  of  your  fathers. 
Prize  the  institutions  of  religion  as  did  your  fathers.  And 
estimate  the  favor  of  God  as  did  your  fathers. 

So  soon  as  a  considerable  number  of  families  became 
inhabitants  of  this  town  measures  were  adopted  for  estab- 
lishing the  institutions  of  religion. 

Mr.  Joseph  Meacham,  a  young  gentleman  from  Enfield, 
and  probably  a  graduate  of  Harvard  University,  commenced 
preaching  here  as  early  as  1713,  four  years  after  the  first 
settlement  of  the  town.  The  first  vote  on  the  town  records, 
indeed  the  third  recorded  vote  of  the  town,  is  as  follows ; — 
"Coventry  4th  of  January  1713-14.  At  a  legal  town  meeting, 
the  town  then  voted  to  have  Mr.  Meacham  ordain  as  soon  as 
they  can  conveniently  after  the  next  General  Court."*  At 
the  time  when  this  vote  was  passed,  no  church  had  been 
organized,  and  it  was  not  then  customary  to  form  a  church 
till  the  way  was  prepared  for  the  ordination  of  the  first 
Pastor.  The  First  Church  in  Coventry  was  organized,  and 
Rev.  Joseph  Meacham  was  ordained  their  Pastor,  October, 
1714.  f  The  church,  at  its  formation,  was  composed  of  ten 
members.  No  records  are  found  informing  us  who  consti- 
tuted the  ordaining  council,  or  who  preached  the  ordination 
sermon. 

Soon  after  his  ordination  Mr.  Meacham  was  married  to 
Miss  Esther  Williams,  daughter  of  Rev.  John  Williams  of 
Deerfield,  Mass.,  whose  wife  and  infant  child  were  murdered, 
and  he  and  most  of  his  children  were  taken  captive  to 
Canada  by  the  Indians.  A  brother  of  Mr.  Meacham  was 
the  first  Pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Mansfield.  Mr.  Mea- 
charn  had  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six  daughters.  One 
daughter  and  all  his  sons  died  in  early  life.  One  daughter 
married  Dr.  John  Rose  of  Coventry,  grandfather  of  the  late 

*  Until  the  division  of  the  town  into  two  parishes,  ecclesiastical  business 
of  a  pecuniary  nature  was  transacted  in  town  meetings. 

t  Authority  for  this  date  is  derived  from  the  town  records,  and  from  a  docu- 
ment, which  was  put  into  the  possession  of  Mr.  Prince  of  Boston,  probably 
by  Mr.  Meacham.  Clearly  these  transactions  could  not  have  taken  place,  as 
has  been  published,  in  1712,  or  in  171 3. 


10 

Capt.  Joseph  and  Major  Nathan  Hale  Rose.  One  married 
a  Mr.  Fuller  of  Mansfield,  descendants  of  whom  are  now 
residing  in  that  town.  One  married  a  Mr.  Grant,  who 
resided  on  "  Grant's  Hill,"  in  Tolland.  One  married  Rev. 
Dr.  Buel,  a  native  of  Coventry,  and  Pastor  of  the  church  of 
Christ  in  Easthampton,  Long  Island.  And  one  married 
Rev.  Nathan  Strong,  the  first,  long  continued,  and  faithful 
Pastor  of  this  church.  The  descendants  of  Mr.  Meacham 
were  numerous  and  quite  respectable.  Twelve,  or  more, 
have  either  been  consecrated  to  the  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry,  or  the  companions  of  ministers.  The  ministerial 
line  of  his  descent  is  still  continued.  A  descendant  of  Mr. 
Meacham  of  the  fifth  generation,  son  of  Rev.  David  L. 
Perry  of  Sharon,  grandson  of  Dr.  Strong  of  Hartford,  and 
great-grandson  of  Rev.  Mr.  Strong  of  this  place,  a  few  years 
since  died  at  Ceylon  a  Missionary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M. 

At  this  late  period  we  cannot  speak  with  definiteness  of 
the  particular  traits  of  Mr.  Meacham's  character.  He  was 
evidently  possessed  of  strong  intellectual  powers,  and  of  a 
sound  judgment.  And  he  was  an  able  divine.  The  tradi- 
tion is,  that  his  brethren  in  the  ministry,  when  they  were 
met  by  a  disputatious  skillful  errorist,  used  to  say;  "  We 
must  put  him  into  the  hands  of  brother  Meacham,"  thus 
expressing  their  confidence  in  his  ability  to  conduct  a  theo- 
logical discussion,  and  his  success  in  reclaiming  the  heretical. 
He  was  truly  evangelical  in  his  views  of  God's  revealed 
will.  When,  in  his  day,  many  Pastors  of  New  England 
churches  had  embraced  semi-arminian  sentiments,  and 
were  hostile  to  the  revival  of  religion  then  in  operation, 
Mr.  Meacham  remained  steadfast,  and  joyfully  received  the 
celebrated  Whitefield  into  his  pulpit.  "  The  Rev.  Gentle- 
men," says  Trumbull, "  who  most  favored  the  work  in  Con- 
necticut,  while  others  opposed  with  all  their  power,  were 
Whitman  of  Hartford,  Lockwood  of  Wethersfield,  Joseph 
Meacham  of  Coventry,  Lord  of  Norwich,  Williams  of  Leb- 
anon, Parsons  of  Lyme,  Owin  of  Groton,  Pomeroy  of  He- 
bron, and  Wheelock  of  Lebanon  Crank."  He  mentions 
eight  other  ministers  residing  in  distant  parts  of  the  state. 


11 

And  well  might  Mr.  Meacham  be  one  of  the  ministers  of 
Connecticut,  who  favored  "the  great  awakening;"  for  ere 
this,  God  had  blessed  in  a  signal  manner  his  faithful  minis- 
trations of  the  gospel,  and  allowed  him  to  witness  remark- 
able displays  of  divine  power  and  grace  among  the  people 
of  his  charge. 

In  November  1736,  President  Edwards,  writing  to  Dr. 
Coleman,  says ;  "  There  was  also  the  last  spring  and  sum- 
mer a  wonderful  work  of  God  carried  on  in  Coventry,  under 
the  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr.  Meacham.  I  had  an  opportunity 
to  converse  with  some  of  the  Coventry  people,  who' gave 
me  a  very  remarkable  account  of  the  surprising  change 
which  appeared  in  the  most  rude  and  vicious  persons  there." 
Before  this  season  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord,  Mr.  Meacham  had  been  ordained  about  twenty 
years.  Whether  his  labors  had  been  specially  blessed 
during  that  period,  or  whether  his  people  shared  largely  in 
the  revival  of  religion  of  1740, 41  and  42, 1  am  not  informed. 
I  suppose,  however,  that  the  spirit  of  God,  was  unusually 
manifested  in  this  town  at  different  periods,  and  particularly 
during  "  the  great  awakening."  Mr.  Meacham  died, 
greatly  lamented,  September  13,  1752,  in  the  67th  year  of 
his  age,  and  in  the  40th  year  of  his  ministry.  His  funeral 
sermon  was  preached  by  Dr.  Solomon  Williams  of  Lebanon. 
What  was  said  of  a  native  of  Coventry,  Rev.  Jonathan 
Lee,  first  Pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ  in  Salisbury,  may, 
if  I  mistake  not,  with  truth  be  said  of  Mr.  Meacham.  u  He 
was  a  man  exactly  fitted,  by  the  force  of  his  character,  for 
the  exigencies  of  a  new  settlement,  to  lay  the  foundations, 
and  shape  the  forming  character  of  society.  Under  his 
able  ministry,  and  vigorous  rule  the  elements  of  society 
grew  up  strong,  healthy  and  compact,  thoroughly  New  Eng- 
land ;  and  beyond  doubt,  to  his  influence  is  to  be  attributed 
much  of  that  manly  and  independent  spirit,  that  intelli- 
gence and  sagacity,  that  breadth  and  weight  of  character, 
by  which  our  town  has  ever  been  characterized." 

For  thirty  years  after  the  settlement  of  this  town  there 
was  but  one  church  in  it,  and  for  twenty-five  years  but  one 


12 

congregation.  Most  of  the  inhabitants  worshipped  in  a 
building  located  not  far  from  the  present  meeting  house  in 
the  First  Society.  Deacon  Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  who  re- 
cided  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Erastus  Kingsbury, 
for  a  number  of  years  attended  public  worship  at  Bolton, 
and  belonged  to  the  church  in  that  place  ;  and  it  i»  proba- 
ble, that  others  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  parish,  and 
some  in  that  part  of  the  town  now  embraced  in  the  parish 
of  Andover,  also  worshipped  at  Bolton.  The  town  of 
Bolton  was  incorporated  in  1720,  and  Rev.  Thomas  White, 
the  first  minister,  was  ordained  in  1725,  eleven  years  after 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Meacham.  The  church  in  Tolland 
was  organized,  and  Rev.  Stephen  Steel,  the  first  Pastor, 
was  ordained  in  1722.  During  eight  years  there  was  no 
place  of  worship  for  any  of  the  inhabitants  of  Coventry  so 
convenient  as  the  one  in  their  own  town.  To  that  sanctua- 
ry, from  all  parts  of  the  town,  they  resorted,  and  together 
paid  their  vows  to  God.  They  were  not  conveyed  thither 
in  easy  and  elegant  carriages,  and  in  winter  wrapped  in 
furs,  to  meet  a  cheerful  fire  and  cushioned  seats  on  their 
arrival.  Some  rode  on  horse-back,  while  others  walked. 
And  among  the  pedestrians, — and  those  too  from  the  bor- 
ders of  the  town — were  seen  mothers  and  daughters. 

Deprived  in  a  great  measure  of  conveyances  and  well 
wrought  roads,  the  inconvenience  of  going  so  far  on  return- 
ing sabbaths  and  lecture  days  was  soon  felt  by  families 
residing  in  the  west  and  north  west  part  of  the  town ;  and 
the  existence  of  another  church  and  society  was  early  con- 
templated. And  the  following  occasioned  a  development 
of  feeling  in  relation  to  a  division  of  the  town  into  two 
parishes.  At  a  town  meeting  held  January  26, 1735-36,  the 
town  voted  to  enlarge  their  meeting  house.  This  vote 
called  forth  a  protest  from  persons  living  in  the  west  and 
north-west  part  of  the  town,  which  was  recorded  as  fol- 
lows : 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Coventry,  January 
26,  1735-36;  "  it  being  said  to  be  voted,  that  they  would 
make  an  addition  to  their  meeting  house  in  said  town :  we 


13 

the  subscribers  hereunto,  inhabitants  of  said  town,  enter  our 
caution  and  protest  against  said  vote.  Nathaniel  Kingsbury, 
Jonathan  Fowler,  Noah  Carpenter,  Benjamin  Carpenter, 
Joseph  Long,  Amos  Richardson,  Samuel  Parker,  Aaron 
Strong,  Ebenezer  Brown,  John  Fowler,  Eliphalet  Carpenter, 
George  Hawkings,  John  Craw,  Timothy  Ladd,  Thomas 
Adams,  John  Wilson,  Samuel  Porter,  Noah  Skinner,  Na- 
thaniel Woodward,  Phineas  Strong,  Jonathan  Shepherd, 
Noah  Rust,  Elijah  Hammond,  John  Bissel,  John  French, 
Nathaniel  Gilbert,  James  Hotchkins,  Nathaniel  Ladd,  John 
Kingsbury,  Samuel  Lyman,  Benjamin  Jones,  Jonathan 
Porter,  Peter  Scott,  John  Parker." 

This  protest  informs  us,  who  were  originally  embraced 
in  the  Second  Society,  and  constituted  the  materials  out  of 
which  this  church  and  congregation  were  formed. 

Arrangements  for  dividing  the  town  into  two  parishes 
were  amicably  made.  At  a  town  meeting  held  February  23, 
1735-36,  the  town  voted  as  follows :...."  That  when 
the  Hon.  General  Assembly  shall  divide  this  town  into  two 
distinct  societies,  that  the  First  Society  shall  reimburse  to 
the  Second  Society,  within  eighteen  months  after  they  are 
set  off,  all  the  money  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  Second 
Society  have  paid  towards  the  building  an  addition  to,  and 
repairing  the  meeting  house  above  said,  according  as  ap- 
pears by  the  rate  bills  recorded ;  for  to  be  improved  in 
building  a  meeting  house  in  the  said  new  society,  provided 
said  society  be  set  off  within  seven  years  from  the  date 
hereof.  Then  voted,  that  we  give  free  and  f u  1  consent, 
that  there  be  a  new  society  set  off  upon  the  north-west  and 
west  part  of  the  town,  at  any  time  when  the  Hon.  General 
Assembly  shall  tbink  proper." 

These  votes,  breathing  a  spirit  so  conciliatory,  and 
prompted  by  such  a  regard  for  the  principle  of  justice  and 
the  public  good  ;  are  an  honor  to  the  town  of  Coventry,  and 
as  an  adopted  citizen  of  this  town,  I  quote  them  with  great 
pleasure.  In  this  open,  frank,  equitable  mode  of  proceed- 
ure,  in  defiance  of  the  claims  of  personal  or  sectional  inter- 
ests, we  find  something  as  noble  as  it  is  singular  at  the 


14 

present  day.  Future  proceedings,  in  consummating  this 
division  of  the  town,  though  they  were  not  entirely  unani- 
mous, were  of  the  same  conciliatory  character  as  will  appear 
from  other  votes  passed  by  the  town.  .  .  .  "  At  a  legal 
town  meeting  held  in  Coventry,  April  27,  1736:  Then 
voted,  that  Joseph  Strong  Esq.  and  Capt.  Samuel  Parker 
should  exhibit  a  prayer  to  the  General  Assembly,  to  have 
them  [examine]  votes  passed  by  said  town  February  23, 
1735-36,  respecting  a  new  society  in  said  Coventry,  to  be 
confirmed  and  ratified."  .  .  .  .  "  At  a  legal  town 
meeting,  adjourned  from  December  6,  1736,  to  this  13th 
day  instant.  Then  voted,  that  they  would  help  those 
people  that  live  on  the  west  side  of  the  town  to  hire  a  min- 
ister to  preach  to  them  three  months  this  winter.  And 
Zachariah  Boynton,  one  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  Coventry, 
did  upon  that  day,  and  in  said  meeting,  dissent  from 
the  above  vote."  .  .  .  "  At  a  legal  town  meeting  held 
in  Coventry,  December  27,  1736.  Then  voted,  that  they 
would  raise  one  farthing  on  the  pound  to  defray  the  charge 
of  hiring  a  minister  for  the  woods  people ,  or  the  people  who 
live  on  the  westerly  side  of  Coventry.  Then  voted,  that 
the  dwelling  house  of  Noah  Rust  in  Coventry  should  be 
the  house  for  the  minister  to  preach  in  three  months  this 
winter.*  And  Mr.  Zachariah  Boynton,  did  on  that  day,  and 
in  the  above  mentioned  meeting,  dissent  from  the  above 
said  vote."  .  .  .  ''  At  a  legal  town  meeting  held  in 
Coventry,  December  12,  1737 ;  then  voted,  that  they  would 
do  something  to  promote  learning,  by  winter  schooling,  to 
the  remote  parts  of  the  town.  Then  voted,  to  accept  the 
return  of  the  committee,  that  were  appointed  to  select 
ground  for  a  burying  place  in  the  west  part  of  the  town." 
The  burying  ground  here  referred  to,  is  doubtless  the  one 
in  the  south-west  part  of  the  parish  near  the  dwelling  house 
of  Mr.  George  N.  Loomis. 

*  The  dwelling  house  of  Noah  Rust,  where  a  public  altar  was  first  erected  to 
the  worship  of  God  in  this  parish,  was  located  a  few  rods  from  the  dwelling 
of  Mr.  John  T.  Thompson. 


15 

In  1740,  by  their  agent  Major  Joseph  Fowler,  the  town 
petitioned  the  General  Assembly  for  a  committee,  to  exam- 
ine, and  report  on  the  expediency  of  the  town's  being 
divided.  The  committee  was  granted,  and  came  out  in 
August  the  same  year,  and  the  parish  was  incorporated  in 
October  1740.  The  first  society  meeting  was  held  Decem- 
ber 4,  1740,  and  before  five  years  had  elapsed,  the  society 
had  been  assembled  in  legal  society  meetings  thirty-one 
times.  In  laying  the  foundations  of  religious  institutions 
here,  our  fathers  were  called  to  encounter  many  difficulties. 
Their  number  was  small,  as  there  were  but  between  forty 
•and  fifty  families  within  the  limits  of  the  society.  They 
were  subjected  to  all  the  inconveniences  and  deprivations 
incident  to  the  settlement  of  a  new  country.  They  were, 
no  doubt,  quite  straitened  in  their  pecuniary  circumstan- 
ces. They  had  a  meeting  house  to  erect,  and  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel  "to  maintain;  a  church  to  gather,  and 
Pastor  to  settle.  They  did  not  adjust  their  claims  upon  the 
Fir^st  Society  in  relation  to  parsonage  lands  owned  by  the 
town,  and  money  which  they  had  advanced  for  repairing 
the  meeting  house  in  that  parish,  without  some  trouble. 
But  the  greatest  trial  which  they  were,  at  this  time,  called 
to  endure,  resulted  from  the  attempt  of  some  of  their  own 
number,  commenced  in  1743,  and  continued  for  a  long 
period,  to  affect  the  organization  of  another  society.  After 
many  years  of  severe  conflict,  the  parish  of  Andover  was 
incorporated,  diminishing  much  the  number  and  resources 
of  this  society. 

Our  indebtedness  to  our  fathers,  requires  us  to  linger  for  a 
moment  in  contemplation  of  their  condition,  and  efforts  to 
secure  for  themselves  and  descendants  the  privileges  of  the 
gospel.  Small  in  number  as  they  were,  especially  after 
the  society  of  Andover  was  incorporated  ;  straitened  as 
they  must  have  been  in  pecuniary  resources ;  and  embar- 
rassed in  their  proceedings  as  they  were  in  more  particulars 
than  can  now  be  enumerated ;  was  there  not  in  them  an 
energy  of  character,  a  bold  and  determined  resolution,  an 
untiring  perseverance,  an  attachment  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 


16 

and  a  fear  of  God  paramount  to  every  other  consideration, 
which  their  posterity  would  do  well  to  imitate "?  Had  our 
honored  fathers  beeri  in  active  life  at  a  later  period,  they 
might  have  been  found  among  the  bravest  in  the  battle  of 
Bunker  Hill :  or  had  their  lot  been  cast  in  the  time  of  a 
bloody  persecution,  they  might  have  remained  undaunted 
and  cheerful  in  view  of  the  torch  and  the  gibbet. 

For  some  years  after  the  incorporation  of  the  parish, 
public  worship  was  continued  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Noah 
Rust,  and  the  people  were  favored  with  preaching  during 
the  winter  season ;  but  who  were  the  preachers  I  cannot 
learn.  In  1744,  Mr.  Nathan  Strong  of  Woodbury  was  in- 
vited to  preach  in  view  of  a  permanent  settlement  in  this 
place. 

Previous  to  this  period  there  was  a  violent  opposition  to 
the  "  great  awakening"  then  in  progress,  and  those  Pastors 
who  were  decidedly  Calvinistic  in  their  views  of  God's 
revealed  will,  evangelical  in  their  preaching,  self-denying 
and  untiring  in  their  efforts  at  home  and  abroad  to  promote 
and  extend  the  revival  of  God's  work ;  experienced  no  small 
measure  of  this  hostile  spirit.  In  May  1742,  the  Legisla- 
ture of  this  State  enacted  a  law  prohibiting  ministers  from 
preaching  and  exhorting  out  of  their  respective  parishes, 
unless  they  were  invited  by  the  minister,  if  there  was  no 
minister,  by  the  church,  and  if  there  was  no  church,  by  the 
society  within  the  limits  of  which  the  meeting  or  meetings 
were  to  be  held.  This  enactment  accounts  for  votes  which 
our  society  passed  June  21,  1742.  "  Then  voted,  that  any 
of  those  ministers,  whose  names  are  under  written,  may 
preach  or  exhort  at  any  time  in  this  society  upon  invitation : 
viz.,  Mr.  Meacham,  Mr.  Solomon  Williams,  Mr.  Eleazer 
Williams,  Mr.  Wheelock,  Mr.  Bellamy,  Mr.  Pomeroy,  Mr. 
Mills,  Mr.  Lockwood,  Mr.  Case,  Mr.  Judd,  Mr.  Buel,  Mr. 
Davenport,  Mr.  Edwards,  Mr.  Marsh,  Mr.  Croswell,  Mr. 
Fish,  Mr.  Edwards  of  Northampton,  Mr.  Mosely,  Mr. 
Whitefield,  Mr.  Lord  of  Norwich,  Mr.  Lord  of  Preston,  Mr. 
White,  Mr.  Steel,  and  Mr.  Gilbert  Tennent.  Then  voted, 
that  any  church  member,  or  any  head  of  a  family,  belong- 


17 

ing  to  this  society,  may  invite  any  of  the  above  ministers  to 
preach  in  said  society." 

These  votes  are  worthy  of  our  consideration.  It  will  be 
borne  in  mind,  that  they  were  passed  two  years  after  the 
incorporation  of  the  society,  before  the  organization  of  the 
church,  and  at  a  time  (June  21st,)  when  probably  no  one 
was  preaching  in  the  parish  ;  and  that  they  were  passed  too 
hymen,  who  had  sat  under  the  orthodox,  spirit-stiring  min- 
istrations of  Mr.  Meacham,  and  who  had,  six  years  before, 
witnessed,  if  not  experienced,  those  wonderful  displays  of 
divine  power  and  g'race,  which  were  made  in  this  town  in 
1736,  and  of  which  President  Edwards  speaks  in  his  letter 
to  Dr.  Coleman.  Within  one  month  after  the  oppressive 
law  of  the  Legislature  was  enacted,  subjecting  evangelical, 
and  self-denying  ministers  to  pains  and  penalties  if  they 
preached  Christ  and  him  crucified  whenever  called  by  the 
providence  of  God  ;  our  fathers  assembled  in  society  meet- 
ings, and  by  their  action,  and  at  once,  removed  all  legal  ob- 
structions out  of  the  way  of  certain  ministers  preaching  at 
any  time,  and  any  where  in  this  parish,  when  invited  by  a 
church  member  or  head  of  a  family.  And  what  was  the 
character  of  the  ministers  whom  they  selected,  and  thus 
favored  1  They  were  the  very  men,  the  severe  enactment 
of  the  Legislature  was  designed  to  oppress.  They  were 
the  men,  who  earnestly  contended  for  the  faith  once  deliv- 
ered to  the  saints,  while  many  of  their  ministerial  brethren, 
and  others  were  lax  in  sentiment,  and  apparently  but  a 
little  interested  in  the  progress  of  vital  godliness.  They 
were  heavenly  in  their  spirit,  self-denying  in  their  efforts  to 
do  good  to  the  souls  of  men,  and  the  honored  instruments 
of  promoting  the  revival  of  God's  work.  They  were  "  the 
winnowed  wheat"  of  Connecticut — men,  who  were  willing 
to  bear  reproach  and  shame  rather  than  make  shipwreck  of 
faith,  withhold  the  pure  gospel  from  their  fellow  men  and 
thus  offend  God.  Among  them  were  the  immortal  Ed- 
wards, and  his  honored  father;  the  matchless  Whitefield 
and  the  half  celestial  Tennent,  the  deep-toned  Bellamy, 

and  his  spirit-gttring  coadjutors,  Wheelock  and  Pomeroy, 

2* 


18 

Mr.  Meachara  and  his  ministerial  associates  in  this  vicinity. 
In  making  the  selection,  our  fathers  went  over  the  State  and 
prepared  the  way  before  all  those  ministers  on  whom  odium 
and  reproach  had  been  cast  on  account  of  their  orthodox 
and  evangelical  labors.     They  of  whom  this  church  was 
about  to  be  formed,  had  enjoyed  the  faithful  ministrations  of 
God's  word  ;  they  had  drank  deep  at  the  fountain  of  truth ; 
they  had  been  baptized  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  and  they  loved 
sound  doctrine,  and  were  satisfied  with  naught  but  deep, 
experimental  religion.     They  desired  to  have  those  doc- 
trines preached  which  put  an  undivided  sceptre  into  the 
hand   of  the    Almighty,  and   prostrate  men   before   their 
Maker.     The  system  of  God's  revealed  will,  embodied  in 
the  Assembly's  Catechism,  was  the  faith  which  they,  who 
were  to  constitute  this  church,  had  understandingly  em- 
braced, and  which  they  held  fast  through  life.     And  theirs, 
we  believe,  was  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints ;  the 
faith  of  martyrs ;    the  faith  which   gives  permanency   to 
Christian   character;  the   faith   which  inspires   hope   and 
peace  in  seasons  of  darkness,  and  periods  of  trial ;  and  the 
faith,  which,  when  clearly  and  prayerfully  exhibited,  God 
has  ever  blessed  to  the  temporal  and  eternal  good  of  men. 
And  when  this  church,  by  a  spirit  of  conformity  to  the  world, 
or  of  vain  speculation,  shall  be  led  to  reject  the  doctrines 
originally  embodied  in  their  articles  of  belief;  when  a  deep 
solicitude  for  the  truth  in  its  native  simplicity  and  purity, 
and  for  sound  experimental  religion,  such  as  was  at  first 
manifested,  shall   cease  ;  then  will  a   dark  and    lowering 
cloud  rest  on  our  Zion ;  then  will  her  ways  mourn  because 
none  come  to  her  solemn  feasts  ;  and   then  will  her  glory 
have  departed. 

Allusions  have  been  made  to  difficulties,  which  were  en- 
countered in  here  establishing  the  ministry  of  the  gospel. 
The  building  of  the  first  meeting  house  occasioned  much 
trouble.  In  regard  to  it  the  Legislature  was  repeatedly 
memorialized.  The  parish  was  once  and  again  surveyed  to 
ascertain  its  center.  A  legislative  committee  was  employed 
to  determine  the  site,  and  it  was  finally  located  a  few  rods 


19 

west  of  the  place  where  we  are  assembled.  It  was  forty-five 
feet  in  length,  and  forty  in  breadth,  two  years  in  building, 
and  never  finished.  It  was  first  occupied  as  a  place  of 
public  worship  in  1744. 

Soon  after  the  meeting  house  was  in  a  condition  to  ac- 
commodate the  congregation,  Mr.  Strong  commenced 
preaching  here  as  a  candidate  for  settlement.  He  was  the 
son  of  Elnathan  Strong  of  Woodbury.  Elnathan  was 
born  in  1686,  and  died  in  middle  life,  leaving  a  young 
family.  The  father  of  Elnathan  was  Thomas  Strong,  the 
fourth  child  of  Elder  John  Strong,  who  died  at  Northamp- 
ton, April  4,  1699,  at  the  age  of  94.  Mr.  Nathan  Strong 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1742,  and  studied  divinity 
with  Rev.  John  Graham,  Pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ  in 
Southbury.  He  commenced  preaching  somewhat  advanced 
in  life,  and  after  a  probation  here  of  about  two  months,  the 
society  extended  to  him  an  invitation  to  settle  with  them  in 
the  ministry  of  the  gospel.  This  invitation  was  given  the 
8th  of  February  1745.  There  was  then  such  a  fluctuation 
in  the  currency,  and  money  had  so  depreciated,  that  it  was 
extremely  difficult  to  agree  on  a  definite  amount,  as  a  per- 
manent amount  for  the  support  of  Mr.  Strong ;  and  I  have 
not  been  enabled  to  determine  what  was  the  real  value  of 
the  sum  finally  agreed  upon.  The  society  promised  him 
£600  old  tennor  bills  as  a  settlement;  and  this  was  to  be 
paid  from  the  avails  of  parsonage  lands  rented  to  Christo- 
pher West  for  999  years :  and  they  promised  to  pay  him 
£200  old  tennor  bills  as  an  annual  salary,  and  to  increase 
that  sum  till  it  amounted,  within  five  years,  to  .£270.  And 
this  sum  w^s  to  vary  according  to  the  change  in  the  value 
of  produce.  Wheat  was  then  worth,  £0:  16s:  Od  a  bushel, 
rye  0  :  12  :  0,  corn  0  :  8  :  0,  oats  0 :  5  :  0,  beef  a  pound  0  : 
0  :  8,  wool  0  :  5  :  0,  and  flax  0  :  2 :  6. 

Samuel  Rust,  Nathaniel  Gilbert,  and  Eliphalet  Carpenter 
were  the  committee  to  unite  with  Mr.  Strong  in  selecting  a 
council  and  fixing  on  the  time  for  his  ordination.  And  the 
day  agreed  upon  was  the  9th  of  October  1745,  one  hundred 
years  ago.  And  where  are  now  the  actors  in  that  solemn 


20 

scene  1  And  where  shall  we  be,  ere  another  hundred  years 
have  passed  away?  Shall  the  church,  the  fruit  of  our 
father's  toils,  and  prayers,  and  tears,  the  purchase  of  a 
Saviour's  blood,  then  live  1  May  he,  who  bows  the  heav- 
ens, puts  darkness  under  his  feet,  and  rides  on  the  wings  of 
the  wind,  preserve  this  church  in  greater  strength,  and  in 
the  freshness  and  beauty  of  youth  till  the  final  consum- 
mation. 

In  this  narrative  of  events,  we  are  now  brought  to  the 
period  and  transactions,  which  we  are  assembled  more  es- 
pecially to  commemorate.  And  we  will  now,  in  contem- 
plation, mingle  in  the  scenes  of  that  occasion. 

On  the  south  of  us  is  uncultivated  land,  covered  in  part 
with  heavy  and  in  part  with  light  wood.  On  the  north  of 
us  is  an  extended,  dense,  dark  forest ;  and  on  the  southern 
border  of  this  forest  is  found  the  sanctuary  which  was  erect- 
ed after  so  many  struggling  efforts.  It  is  covered  with  riven 
oak  clabboards  and  cedar  shingles,  the  lower  story  only 
glazed  ;  and  it  stands  solitary,  with  no  dwelling  nearer  than 
Noah  Rust's  on  the  west,  and  Solomon  Grant's  on  the  east. 
On  entering  from  the  south  this  temple  of  God,  we  find  the 
lower  floor  only  laid,  with  the  entire  frame  above  the  sleep- 
ers uncovered  within.  On  the  right  and  left  hand  of  the 
aisle  seats  are  arranged,  running  through  the  western,  and 
also  through  the  eastern  section  of  the  house.  And  we 
observe  females  occupying  those  on  the  right,  and  males 
those  on  the  left.  The  assembly  are  in  silent  meditation 
and  prayer,  and  thus  waiting  the  approach  of  the  much 
respected  council.  The  council  had  convened  the  day 
previous,  and  with  due  care  and  solemnity  o/ganized  the 
church,  witnessed  the  election  of  Thomas  Adams  and 
Joseph  Long  to  the  office  of  deacons,  and  examined  the 
Pastor  elect.  As  they  come  to  the  threshhold  of  the  sanc- 
tuary, led  on  by  father  Meacham,  the  preacher,  and  the 
Pastor  elect,  the  assembly  all  rise  and  remain  standing  until 
the  council  are  seated.  If  we  mistake  not,  we  find  the 
clerical  part  of  the  council  composed  of  Rev.  Messrs.  Meac- 
ham of  the  First  Church,  Williams  of  Mansfield,  White  of 


21 

Bolton,  Steel  of  Tolland,  Williams  of  Lebanon,  Wheelock 
of  Lebanon  Crank,  Pomeroy  of  Hebron,  Buel  of  Easthamp- 
ton,  Long-  Island,  and  Graham  of  Southbury.  All  of  them 
are  in  the  vigor  of  life,  the  eldest,  Mr.  Meacham,  in  the  60th 
year  of  his  age.  All,  notwithstanding  the  great  defection 
of  the  times  in  religious  sentiment  and  vital  godliness,  are 
sound  divines,  evangelical  and  able  preachers,  ardently  en- 
gaged in  the  revival  of  God's  work,  and  sympathizing  in 
doctrine  with  Edwards  and  Bellamy ;  and  four  of  them — 
Williams  of  Lebanon,  Wheelock,  Pomeroy  and  Buel,  are 
destined  to  hold  conspicuous  places  in  the  ecclesiastical 
history  of  New  England,  and  to  be  distinguished  with  lite- 
rary honors.  Wigs,  bands,  and  dark  attire  inform  the 
assembly,  who  of  the  council  have  been  consecrated  to  the 
work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  will  conduct  the  services  of 
the  present  occasion,  and  impose  the  hands  of  the  presby- 
tery on  the  head  of  the  future  Pastor  of  the  new  formed 
church. 

As  we  cannot  in  contemplation  attend  to  all  the  exercises 
of  this  ordination,  we  will  pass  by  what  precedes,  and  listen 
to  some  of  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Graham,  addressed  to  the 
Pastor  elect,  his  former  pupil ;  and  also  to  some  counsels 
addressed  to  the  church  and  congregation. 

"  My  Rev.  and  dear  Brother, — Let  holy  Paul's  determination 
settle  on  your  heart,  to  know  nothing  among  your  people  but 
Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified.  O  let  a  crucified  Christ  be  the 
very  soul  and  centre  of  your  study  and  preaching  ;  here,  here  is 
the  most  noble  and  divine  subject  your  soul  can  spend  itself  upon. 
Here  you  will  find  the  sweetest  employment  for  every  one  of  your 
rational  powers.  Here  are  discovered  the  very  secrets  which  lay 
hid  in  the  counsels  of  God  from  the  morning  of  eternity  ;  the  light 
thereof  shining  into  the  heart,  leaves  a  stamp  of  divine  glory  on 
the  soul.  If  you  would  render  study  sweet,  or  desire  to  dwell 
forever  in  the  midst  of  spiritual  and  divine  comforts,  then  never 
think  you  have  studied  sufficient  on  truth,  till  you  have  really 
learned  it,  and  had  it  exemplified  in  your  own  heart ;  and  the 
deeper  you  dive  here,  the  higher  the  springs  of  divine  comfort  will 
rise,  and  the  streams  thereof  more  abundantly  flow  into  your  soul. 
In  a  word,  as  you  would'desire  to  live  a  life  of  hidden  communion 
with  God ;  as  even  you  would  preach  experimentally,  and  so 
profitably  and  successfully  to  your  people  ;  and  you  would  have 


all  your  natural  and  acquired  endowments  ennobled,  elevated, 
strengthened,  and  sanctified  to  the  good  of  the  church;  and  as  you 
would  maintain  a  comfortable  assurance  of  your  inward  calling  to 
this  blessed  work,  labor  to  grow  in  grace  and  in  knowledge.  This 
is  God's  seal,  en  pnumati,  without  which  the  call  of  the  people, 
and  the  hands  of  the  clergy  are  but  en  malani — ink  and  paper." 

"  To  this  flock  of  Christ,"  observes  Mr.  Graham,  "  I  would 
say,  receive  this  our  brother  as  a  messenger  of  the  Lord  of  hosts, 
as  a  real  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  1 .  In  your  hearts  and  affections 
honor  him  highly  for  his  work's  sake.  2.  Express  your  affection 
for  him  by  speaking  kindly,  and  honorably  of  him,  defending  his 
character  against  the  sharp  razors  of  reproachful  tongues.  3.  In 
all  your  conduct  carry  dutifully  to  him  as  a  father,  not  despising 
his  youth.  4.  Submit  yourselves  to  all  his  ministerial  dispen- 
sations." 

"  To  conclude  this — Let  me  beseach  you  as  a  dying  man,  that 
to  most  of  you  I  never  spoke  before,  and  probably  shall  never 
speak  to  you  again  ;  or  see  you  any  more  till  we  all  come  to  stand 
before  the  dread  tribunal  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  think  seriously  of  these 
things,  and  allow  them  the  proper  influence  on  your  hearts.  Do 
not  for  the  Lord's  sake  put  them  off  with  this — The  preacher  is 
carnal  and  dead.  Let  that  be  as  it  will.  It  is  a  very  small  matter 
with  me,  that  I  should  be  judged  of  you,  or  of  man's  judgment. 
He  that  judge th  me  is  the  Lord If  there  be  any  con- 
solation in  Christ,  if  any  comfort  of  love,  if  any  fellowship  of  the 
Spirit,  if  any  bowels  of  mercies ;  fulfil  ye  my  joy  by  turning  to  the 

great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls O  hasten,  hasten 

back,  dear  lambs,  into  the  fold  where  you  have  heard  and  known 
Christ's  voice,  and  gone  in  and  out  and  found  pasture.  Nay,  I 
solemnly  warn  and  charge  you,  in  the  name  of  my  blessed  Lord, 
to  hasten  back  to  the  Shepherd's  tents,  where  Christ  feedeth  his 
flock ;  otherwise  God  will  raise  a  storm  in  his  anger,  that  will  sur- 
prisingly drive  you  back  with  trembling  and  consternation  of  soul. 
May  God  prevent  you  with  his  mercy,  and  be  better  to  you  than 
our  fears." 

One  year  after  his  ordination,  October  12, 1746,  Mr.  Strong 
and  Miss  Esther  Meacham  were  joined  in  marriage.  They 
had  six  children.  The  eldest,  a  son,  died  in  infancy. 
The  second  son,  Nathan,  was  the  late  Dr.  Strong  of  Hart- 
ford ;  and  the  third  son,  Joseph,  was  the  late  Dr.  Strong  of 
Norwich.  Two  daughters,  adults,  unmarried,  died  before 
either  of  their  parents.  And  the  third  daughter,  Anna, 
married  Doctor  Ebenezer  Hunt,  a  physician  of  this  place, 
and  died  November,  1833,  aged  74  years.  Mrs.  Strong  died 


23 

1  October  19,  1793,  in  the  68th  year  of  her  age.  Her  funeral 
sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Dr.  Huntington,  of  the  First 
Society,  who  represented  her  as  sustaining  a  character 
unusually  lovely. 

It  is  to  be  much  regretted,  that  no  catalogue  of  members, 
or  records  of  the  church's  actions,  during  the  first  fifty-three 
years  of  its  existence,  have  come  down  to  us.  The  small 
amount  of  information  to  be  communicated  respecting  our 
ecclesiastical  history,  from  the  year  1745  to  that  of  1798, 
has  been  derived  principally  from  the  records  of  the  Soci- 
ety, and  from  the  remembrances  of  aged  persons  of  the 
congregation. 

The  tenor  of  Mr.  Strong's  ministry  was,  upon  the  whole, 
an  even  couise,  though  he  was  not  exempt  from  the  trials 
incident  to  his  profession.  After  the  unfavorable  termina- 
tion of  the  "great  awakening,"  some  more  than  an  hun- 
dred years  ago,  revivals  of  religion  were  quite  unfrequent, 
till  about  the  commencement  of  the  present  century.  This 
church,  like  others,  during  that  long  season  of  darkness, 
was  perpetuated  by  now  and  then  a  small  accession  of 
members.  There  was,  however,  during  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Strong,  two,  if  not  more,  seasons  of  the  special  revival  of 
God's  work.  In  the  year  1765,  there  was  a  revival  of  reli- 
gion, to  what  extent  I  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain, 
except  as  it  was  denominated,  "  a  remarkable  work."  Six- 
teen years  after  the  first,  in  1781,  there  was  another  revival, 
which  brought  to  the  church  an  accession  of  about  fifty 
members.  Many  of  th§  aged  of  the  church,  who  have 
departed  this  life  within  some  ten  or  fifteen  years  past,  were 
hopeful  subjects  of  that  work,  and  spoke  of  it  with  great 
interest  till  their  death.  Only  one  person,  (Widow  Dan 
Loomis)  remains,  who  united  with  the  church  while  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Strong.  At  no  period,  while  the 
first  Pastor  labored  here,  did  the  church  much  exceed  one 
hundred  in  number,  probably  most  of  the  time  it  fell  short 
of  that  amount,  though  the  population  of  the  parish  for 
many  years  was  as  large  or  larger  than  it  is  at  the  present 
time.  "  The  half-way  covenant,"  as  it  was  called,  was 


24 

early  introduced  here,  and  was  continued  in  practice  till 
September,  1798.  Persons  of  fair  moral  character  and 
orderly  lives,  though  they  did  not  profess  to  have  experien- 
ced the  converting  grace  of  God,  on  assenting  to  the  cove- 
nant, were  allowed  the  privilege  of  having  their  children 
baptized.  The  consequence  was,  that  while  the  number  of 
those  who  were  "  in  full  communion"  was  small,  many 
had  the  seal  of  the  covenant  applied  to  their  households. 

Though  this  parish  was  never  rent  asunder  by  contending 
sects,  or  greatly  agitated  by  internal  commotions,  yet  from 
an  early  period  there  have  been  here  those  who  were  of  dif- 
ferent persuasions.  In  the  year  1751,  John  Scripture  and 
Jonathan  Shepherd,  were  exonerated  by  vote  of  the  society, 
from  paying  their  society  tax,  because  they  were  in  senti- 
ment, of  the  Baptist  denomination.  The  bond  of  peace 
between  persons  of  different  sects,  has  been  preserved  to  an 
unusual  degree.  There  were,  however,  some  contentions 
in  the  society  in  early  times ;  but  they  were  not  of  long 
continuance,  or  of  very  disastrous  consequences.  The 
arrangements  in  reference  to  Mr.  Strong's  salary,  were  well 
calculated  to  affect  the  harmony  of  the  community.  Annu- 
ally, for  many  years,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  agree 
with  the  Pastor  respecting  the  value  of  produce,  on  which 
his  support  was  based ;  or  in  the  language  of  the  record, — 
"  to  settle  the  speaces  with  Mr.  Strong."  At  one  time,  dif- 
ferences between  the  Society  and  Pastor  were  referred  to 
disinterested  persons,  out  of  the  parish,  for  adjudication. 
At  another  time  the  Society,  in  a  s/ate  of  excitement,  voted 
to  appropriate  J650  of  Mr.  Strong's  salary  to. employ  another 
preacher,  and  appointed  a  committee  to  select  and  contract 
with  the  person;  but  this  rash  step  was  soon  retraced,  and 
the  storm  soon  passed  away.  At  another  time  there  was  a 
disagreement  among  the  singers,  and  in  a  society  meeting 
a  vote  was  passed  and  recorded,  "  That  singing  in  the  con- 
gregation should  be  regulated  according  to  rule."  And  at 
another  time  also,  the  harmony  between  the  Pastor  and  the 
singers,  was  disturbed  by  the  introduction  of  a  new  style  of 
music.  Mr.  Strong  could  not  endure  such  music  in  the 


house  of  God,  and  interposed  his  authority  to  prevent  it, 
which  occasioned,  for  a  short  period,  an  unhappy  state  of 
things.  A  few  years  before  the  first  Pastor's  death,  the  sub- 
ject of  improving  the  house  of  worship  was  much  agitated. 
Some  were  in  favor  of  repairing  the  old  building,  and  others 
were  desirous  of  erecting  a  new  house.  The  Society  were 
repeatedly  called  together  in  relation  to  this  matter.  Mr. 
Strong  judged  it  best  for  the  Society  to  build  a  new  house, 
and  he  himself  planned  the  pulpit.  And  when,  in  accord- 
ance with  his  advice,  it  was  determined  to  erect  a  new 
edifice,  there  was  a  division  of  sentiment  in  reference  to  its 
location.  The  County  Court  was  unsuccessfully  employed 
in  fixing  its  location.  Then  a  committee  of  the  Legislature 
was  convened  for  the  same  purpose.  And  finally,  after 
some  years  of  agitation,  through  the  agency  of  Ephraim 
Kingsbury,  Esq.,  Capt.  Eliphaz  Hunt,  and  Capt.  Nathaniel 
Root,  our  present  sanctuary  was  erected  in  1792.  The 
dedication  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  Nathan  Strong, 
D.  D.  of  Hartford. 

Upon  the  whole,  probably  but  very  few  uncompromising 
and  faithful  ministers  of  Christ,  have  spent  half  a  century 
with  their  people  in  more  peace  and  love,  than  did  our 
revered  Father  with  his  flock.  He  was  a  man  of  strong 
intellectual  powers,  and  of  great  decision  of  character.  He 
was  not  rash  in  judgment,  nor  easily  driven  from  his  pur- 
pose, nor  dismayed  by  opposition.  He  was  a  plain,  sound, 
instructive  preacher;  but  never,  to  my  knowledge,  commit- 
ted any  of  his  productions  to  the  press,  except  a  sermon 
delivered  at  Hartford  when  his  son,  Nathan,  was  ordained, 
and  a  charge  given  at  Norwich,  when  his  son,  Joseph,  was 
settled.  The  late  Dr.  Emmons,  of  Franklin,  Mass.,  in  a 
letter  written  not  long  before  his  death,  said,  "  that  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  theology  with  Mr.  Strong  of  Coventry, 
and  under  his  instruction  he  became  thoroughly  indoctrina- 
ted in  Old  School  Divinity."  Mr.  Strong  was  doubtless 
capable  of  indoctrinating  such  a  pupil  as  Dr.  Emmons. 
He  was  Puritanic  in  his  views  of  divine  truth,  in  his  outward 
conduct,  and  in  his  practical  piety.  In  intellectual  and 
3 


acquired  endowments,  in  sentiment  and  practice,  he  re- 
sembled his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Meacham.  By  the  grace 
of  God,  he  was  enabled  so  to  plant  and  water  this  church, 
that  amidst  the  vicissitudes  of  time,  the  corruptions  of  human 
nature,  and  the  various  and  powerful  assaults  of  the  adver- 
sary, it  has  remained  for  one  hundred  years,  and  still  remains 
on  the  immovable  basis,  the  Rock  Christ  Jesus. 

After  the  demise  of  Mrs.  Strong,  her  husband  did  not 
preach,  and  he  survived  her  but  about  two  years.  He  died 
November  7,  1795,  in  the  79tti  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the 
51st  of  his  ministry,  greatly  beloved  and  respected.  Dr. 
Williams,  of  Tolland,  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 

The  pulpit  having  become  vacant  some  time  before  the 
decease  of  Mr.  Strong,  in  consequence  of  his  bodily  infirm- 
itiss,  Mr.  Ishabod  Lord  Skinner,  of  Marl  borough,  who  grad- 
uated at  Yale  College  in  1793,  was  invited  to  preach  here 
as  a  candidate  for  settlement,  and  he  was  ordained  colleague 
Pastor,  October  23,  1794.  Mr.  Skinner  was  a  man  of  quite 
respectable  talents,  and  winning  address.  He  sustained  his 
pastoral  relation  to  this  church  about  four  years,  and,  at  his 
request,  was  honorably  dismissed  October  10,  1798.  After 
this  the  church  remained  vacant  for  the  space  of  two  years 
and  an  half.  In  1799  there  was  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to 
settle  Mr.  Erastus  Riply  ;  as  there  was  also  in  1800,  to  settle 
Mr.  Salmon  King.  God's  work  was  revived  under  the 
labors  of  Mr.  King,  and  the  church  received  a  considerable 
accession  in  numbers  and  strength. 

In  December  1800,  the  church,  by  an  unanimous  vote, 
and  the  society  by  a  vote  of  sixty-four  in  the  affirmative,  and 
twelve  in  the  negative,  extended  an  invitation  to  become 
their  Pastor,  to  Mr.  Ephrairn  T.  Woodruff,  of  Farmington, 
a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1797,  and  a  theological  stu- 
dent of  Dr.  Charles  Backus,  of  Somers.  The  Society  offered 
Mr.  Woodruff,  as  a  pecuniary  support,  .£200  settlement,  and 
an  annual  salary  of  .£120.  Dea.  Joseph  Talcott,  William 
Wilson,  and  Eleazer  Pomeroy,  acted  as  Committee  of  the 
Church  on  this  occasion;  and  Ephraim  Kingsbury,  Esq., 
Capt  Eliphaz  Hunt,  and  Capt.  Nathaniel  Root,  as  Commit- 


27 

tee  of  the  Society.  Mr.  Woodruff  was  ordained  Pastor  of 
the  Church,  April  8,  1801,  and  Rev.  Hezekiah  Woodruff,  of 
Stonington,  preached  the  ordination  sermon.  The  church 
then  embraced  one  hundred  and  one  members,  thirty-eight 
males  and  sixty-three  females. 

No  more  fallacious  principle  can  be  adopted,  than  that  of 
determining,  in  all  cases,  ministerial  faithfulness  and  ac- 
ceptableness  to  God  by  present  apparent  success.  The 
application  of  this  principle  brings  all  the  responsibility  to 
rest  on  the  ministers,  and  leaves  none  remaining  on  the 
churches.  It  recognizes  not  any  thing  as  being  favorable 
or  unfavorable  in  the  circumstances  of  a  community,  the 
country,  or  the  age.  It  condemns  many  of  the  most  labo- 
rious and  self-sacrificing  servants  of  Christ,  as  mere  hirelings. 
It  casts  out,  as  unworthy  of  their  high  and  holy  calling, 
prophets  and  apostles ;  and  it  reproaches  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  himself.  It  was  the  application  of  this  false  princi- 
ple, which  brought  great  and  lasting  evils  on  the  churches 
of  New  England  in  the  days  of  new-lighlism ;  and  within  the 
last  twenty  years,  the  disastrous  consequences  of  a  new 
application  of  the  same  principle,  have  been  clearly  seen 
and  severely  felt  in  some  parts  of  our  country. 

Mr.  Woodruff's  ministry  commenced  at  a  period,  and  in 
circumstances  unusually  favorable  to  a  successful  contin- 
uance. It  wat  just  at  the  beginning  of  that  series  of  revi- 
vals of  religion,  which  continued,  with  increasing  interest 
and  rising  glory,  for  more  than  thirty  years ;  and  which 
brought  large  accessions  in  number,  strength,  and  benevo- 
lent action,  to  the  churches  in  our  country:  and  the  gen- 
eration of  professed  believers,  then  in  active  life,  and  exert- 
ing a  leading  influence,  were  eminently  ministerial  in  their 
feelings  and  conduct.  They  acted  on  the  principle,  that 
the  ministry  of  the  gospel  is  in  hostility  with  the  depraved 
propensities  of  the  human  heart,  and  that  they  who  faith- 
fully preach  the  gospel,  must  be  supported  and  defended. 
And  God,  in  an  unusual  degree,  blessed  the  labors  of  their 
Pastors  to  them  and  their  children. 


During  the  sixteen  years  of  Mr.  Woodruff's  continuance 
here,  one  hundred  and  fifty  were  added  to  the  church  ;  one 
hundred  and  thirty-four  by  profession,  and  sixteen  by  letter. 
Two  seasons  of  special  refreshing1  from  the  presence  of  the 
Lord  were  experienced.  Referring  to  the  revival  of  religion 
which  occurred  in  1808  and  1809,  Mr.  Woodruff  says  : — 
"  During  that  harvest  season,  about  seventy  souls,  by  a 
public  profession,  were  added  to  the  Lord.  Those  who  then 
named  the  name  of  Christ,  with  few  exceptions,  have  appa- 
rently walked  worthy  of  their  high  vocation."  The  other 
revival  commenced  in  November,  1813,  and  an  account  of 
it  is  found  in  the  Connecticut  Evangelical  Magazine,  for 
January,  1814.  It  commenced  among  the  young  married 
people  and  youth,  and,  as  it  is  stated  in  the  published  nar- 
rative ;  "  within  a  few  weeks,  it  was  known  that  about 
seventy  minds  had  sustained  an  alarm,  in  different  parts  of 
the  society,  fifty  of  which  seemed  under  the  genuine  work 
of  the  law,  which  we  trust  has  done  the  office  of  a  school- 
master to  bring  them  to  Christ On  the  first 

Sabbath  in  March,  1814,  twenty-two  young  persons  were 
admitted  to  the  communion  of  the  church.  Twenty  have 
been  received  into  our  number  since.  And  in  the  judgment 
of  charity,  twelve  or  fourteen  others,  when  they  shall  ask 
the  privilege,  will  be  deemed  proper  candidates  for  admis- 
sion," In  the  published  account  of  this  revival  of  religion, 
if  not  a  singular,  an  interesting  fact  is  stated.  After  a  sea- 
son of  unusual  health,  and  of  special  spiritual  prosperity,  a 
sweeping  pestilence  passed  over  the  place,' and  in  a  short 
time  removed  by  death  a  number  belonging  to  the  church. 
Great  peace  and  comfort  attended  them  in  their  last  hours. 
The  supports  of  religion,  and  the  blessed  effects  of  the  revi- 
val, in  preparing  them  for  departing  this  life,  were  strikingly 
manifested ;  but  distressing  sickness,  and  often  repeated 
deaths,  checked  the  progress  of  God's  work,  and  the  revival 
was  soon  over. 

There  were  years  during  the  ministry  of  this  Pastor,  when 
the  church  received  no  accession,  either  by  profession  or 
letter ;  but  notwithstanding  the  many,  who  were  recom- 


29 

mended  to  other  churches,  the  church  increased,  and  was 
left  in  a  healthful  and  prosperous  state.  Mr.  Woodruff  was 
an  affectionate,  laborious,  and  faithful  Pastor.  He  was  the 
instrument  of  much  good  to  this  people,  and  is  cherished  in 
respectful  and  affectionate  remembrance  by  those  who 
were  favored  with  his  ministry.  He  was,  at  his  request, 
honorably  dismissed  October  21,  1817. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Woodruff,  for  one  year  the 
pulpit  was  supplied,  most  of  the  time,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wil- 
liams, then  of  Andover,  Mr.  Henry  Robinson  of  Guilford, 
and  Mr.  William  Kemball  of  New  Hampshire. 

The  present  Pastor  commenced  his  labors  here  November 
1,  1818,  and  was  ordained  March  10, 1819.  The  ordination 
services  were  performed  by  the  following  ministers.  Intro- 
ductory prayer  by  Mr.  Nash  of  Tolland ;  sermon  by  Mr. 
Strong  of  Somers;  consecrating  prayer  by  Dr.  Bassett  of 
Hebron ;  charge  by  Mr.  Brockway  of  Ellington ;  right 
hand  of  fellowship  by  Mr.  Booth  of  the  First  church;  ad- 
dress to  the  people  by  Mr.  Loomis  of  Willington,  and  the 
concluding  prayer  by  Mr.  Ely  of  Vernon.  The  church 
then  consisted  of  142  members,  41  males,  101  females.  The 
population  of  the  parish  was  840 ;  407  males  and  433  females. 
Since  March  10,  1819,  318  members  have  been  added  to  the 
church,  248  by  profession,  and  70  by  letters  of  recommend- 
ation. Within  the  same  period,  284  have  been  removed 
from  the  church,  179  by  letters  of  recommendation  to  other 
churches,  105  by  death,  and  9  otherwise.  The  present 
number  of  members  is  176 ;  55  males,  and  121  females.  And 
the  present  population  of  the  parish  is  about  750,  having 
diminished  90  in  26  years. 

Since  the  ordination  of  the  present  Pastor,  gome  seasons 
of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord  have  been  en- 
joyed. In  1819,  a  revival  commenced,  which  continued 
through  a  part  of  the  year  following,  and  which  brought  an 
accession  to  the  church  of  65.  In  1822-23,  the  church  was 
signally  blessed,  with  an  increase  of  about  70.  In  1826, 
there  was  the  descent  of  a  gentle  shower  of  grace,  and  a 
small  accession  to  the  church.  In  1831,  about  30  were 
3* 


hopefully  converted  to  God,  and  'professed  their  faith  in 
Christ ;  and  in  1832  about  the  same  number.  Since  that 
time  there  have  been  seasons,  when  the  hearts  of  some  of 
the  community  were  moved,  and  their  hopes  much  raised 
in  view  of  a  return  of  the  special  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit ;  but  no  considerable  ingathering  of  souls  into  the 
kingdom  of  Christ  has  been  allotted.  We  know  not  but  the 
gospel  has  been  as  abundantly,  and  as  faithfully  dispensed, 
and  that  there  have  been  persons  in  the  church,  who  as 
earnestly  desired  and  as  fervently  prayed  for  the  conversion 
of  sinners,  as  at  former  periods.  But,  on  account  of  our 
sins,  God  has  seen  fit  to  withhold  from  us  the  rich  and  abun- 
dant blessings  of  former  years.  We  would  not  however 
despise  the  day  of  small  things,  but  be  grateful  for  what  we 
have  received ;  and  pray,  and  labor,  and  hope  for  larger 
measures  of  grace.  During  the  last  thirteen  years,  77  by 
letters  and  profession  have  united  with  the  church ;  and 
the  one  last  received,  on  profession  of  faith,  was  almost 
ninety  years  of  age. 

During  its  whole  history,  if  a  few  years  past  are  excepted, 
this  church  has  been  remarkably  united  in  all  ecclesiastical 
proceedings.  Though  alienations  and  animosities  have 
occurred,  perhaps  as  frequently  as  in  other  places,  between 
individuals  and  families ;  yet  when  members  were  brought 
to  act  together  in  religious  matters,  they  were  agreed.  They 
were  one  in  faith,  and  one  in  their  views  of  duty.  For  more 
than  twenty-one  years  after  the  settlement  of  the  present. 
Pastor,  seldom  was  there  a  dissenting  voice  to  votes  passed 
by  the  church.  It  is  not  known,  that  written  articles  of 
faith  and  a  church  covenant,  were  ever  submitted  to  the 
church  for  their  adoption,  till  October  15,  1819,  when  our 
present  Articles  of  Faith  and  Covenant  were  unanimously 
adopted,  without  the  expression  of  an  objection.  The 
course  pursued  by  this  church,  from  the  beginning,  in  rela- 
tion to  those  among  us  who  are  associated  with  other  Chris- 
tian denominations,  has  been  such  as  to  avoid  bitter  conten- 
tions. While  members  of  this  church  have  considered 
themselves  severally  bound  by  their  covenant  engagements 


31 

to  stand  by  their  own  church  and  maintain  their  own  insti- 
tutions, they  have  also  considered  themselves  bound  by  the 
law  of  love,  to  treat  persons  of  other  names  with  affection, 
and  their  rights  with  respect.  While  they  have  not  suppo- 
sed, that  the  congregating  of  families,  possessing  distinctive 
and  separate  interests,  of  different  views  and  tastes,  in  the 
same  dwelling,  was  the  best  method  for  securing  peace  and 
happiness ;  they  have  recognized  the  duty  of  acting  in  rela- 
tion to  other  Christian  sects,  on  the  principles  practiced  by 
a  good  neighborhood. 

Female  influence,  and  in  latter  years,  female  influence 
associated,  has  contributed  much  to  the  peace  and  prosper- 
ity of  this  religious  community.  Besides  the  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Associations,  there  are  here  three  female  societies 
for  charitable  purposes.  The  first,  from  the  circumstances 
of  its  origin  and  long  continuance,  may  be  deemed  worthy 
of  more  than  a  passing  notice  on  this  occasion.  It  was 
organized  at  the  house  of  the  late  David  Hale,  Esq.,  in  1812, 
and  denominated,  "  The  Coventy  Female  Friendly  Society," 
and  embraced  members  from  both  parishes.  Mrs.  Lydia 
Hale  was  the  first  President,  Mrs.  Sally  Woodruff,  Secre- 
tary, and  Miss  Sally  Root,  Treasurer.  The  object  of  the 
society  was  to  promote  the  personal  piety  of  its  members, 
and  contribute  to  benevolent  enterprizes.  A  small  library 
of  books,  well  adapted, to  aid  in  the  advancement  of  exper- 
imental religion,  was  soon  collected.  The  meetings  of  the 
society  were  held  once  in  three  months,  and  were  occupied 
with  prayer,  praise,  reading,  and  conference.  Among  the 
males,  who  were  accustomed  to  attend  the  meetings,  address 
the  members,  and  encourage  them  in  their  works  of  faith 
and  labors  of  love,  were  Hon.  Jesse  Root,  David  Hale,  Esq., 
and  the  elder  Dea.  Talcott.  In  June,  1813,  the  society 
passed  the  following  : — "  Resolved,  that  we  will  spend  the 
hour  between  three  and  four  o'clock,  on  the  first  Monday  in 
each  month,  in  meditation,  and  prayer  to  God  for  the  out- 
pouring of  his  Spirit,  the  general  revival  of  religion,  and  the 
universal  spread  of  the  gospel."  Five  months  after  this 
resolution  was  passed,  a  solemn  stillness,  and  an  undiverted 


32 

attention  to  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel,  were  manifested 
in  the  house  of  God  ;  and  a  company  of  young  persons  sent 
for  their  Pastor  to  instruct  them  in  the  way  of  life,  while 
they  were  assembled  in  a  social  circle.  The  people,  and 
the  church,  as  a  body,  were  surprised  to  learn,  that  God  was 
in  deed  and  in  truth  specially  present  here,  reviving  his 
work  with  great  power.  A  somewhat  similar  occurrence 
took  place  in  1819.  The  revival  of  that  year  commenced 
in  this  society.  For  the  furtherance  of  the  object  in  view, 
and  for  the  convenience  of  the  members,  the  society  was 
divided  in  1816,  and  a  separate  organization  was  constituted 
in  each  parish.  Of  the  original  members  belonging  to  this 
parish,  four  are  remaining,  six  have  died,  and  three  have 
withdrawn.  Of  the  forty-three,  who  have  since  united, 
thirteen  have  moved  out  of  the  place,  fourteen  have  died, 
and  six,  residing  here,  have  withdrawn.  Many  of  those, 
who  have  departed  this  life,  remained  connected  with  this, 
one  of  the  oldest  female  associations  in  the  State,  till  they 
were  taken  to  the  general  assembly  of  the  church  of  the 
first  born.  And  there  are  others,  not  in  affluent  circum- 
stances, who  have  punctually  attended  the  meetings,  and 
paid  their  annual  tax  for  thirty-three  years.  And-  it  is  ex- 
pected that  they,  and  others  with  them,  will  be  thus  associa- 
ted, till  the  hand  which  breaks  asunder  all  earthly  ties  shall 
separate  them, — and  separate  them  to  be  reunited  in  an 
association  more  intellectual,  more  benevolent,  more  endur- 
ing, and  more  glorious. 

In  1824,  another  female  association  was  formed,  and  de- 
nominated, "  The  Fragment  Society."  The  prominent 
design  of  this  association  is  to  aid  the  cause  of  benevolence 
by  an  annual  tax,  and  by  manual  labor.  They  meet  and 
labor  together  frequently,  at  each  other's  dwellings,  usually 
attended  by  their  Pastor.  And  the  meetings  of  this  society 
have  had  a  conservative  and  happy  influence  on  the  com- 
munity. This  association  is  annually  raising  for  the  treas- 
ury of  the  Lord  about  fifty  dollars. 

In  1825,  the  late  Harlan  Page,  a  native  of  this  place,  and 
for  a  number  of  years  a  member  of  this  church,  organized 


33 

an  association  of  the  juvenile  females  of  the  congregation. 
This  "  Juvenile  Society ,"  by  their  labors,  have  contributed 
something  commendable  to  charitable  objects. 

These  three  organized  bodies  have  raised  for  the  cause  of 
benevolence,  besides  what  has  been  contributed  in  aid  of 
Foreign  Missions  by  females,  about  $1,400.  And  the  aver- 
age annual  amount  of  the  charities  of  the  congregation,  for 
twenty  years  past,  will  not  vary  much  from  $400.  Our 
fathers,  who  have  recently  left  us  for  a  better  world,  as  we 
trust,  seeing  the  pecuniary  strength  diminishing  by  deaths 
and  other  removals,  with  a  commendable  promptness  and 
liberality,  in  1824,  established  a  parochial  fund  of  $5,000. 
The  avails  of  this  fund  are  now  of  great  use  to  the  society. 

The  first  settlers  of  this  town,  like  their  Puritan  Fathers, 
paid  strict  attention  to  the  religious  training  of  their  chil- 
dren. A  part  of  each  Sabbath  was  devoted,  by  heads  of 
families,  to  catechetical  instruction.  They  intelligently 
adopted,  and  strenuously  maintained  the  principle,  at  which 
ignorance  and  infidelity  scoff,  but  which  philosophy  ap- 
proves, and  experience  and  revelation  connrrri  ;  that  mental 
cultivation  should  always  be  attended  with  moral  instruc- 
tion. As  in  higher  seminaries  of  learning  in  New  England, 
so  in  the  primary  schools  of  this  parish,  an  intellectual  and 
moral  training  have  ever  been  combined.  And  God  forbid, 
that  they  should  ever  be  divorced.  Let  our  noble  school 
fund  be  sunk  in  the  ocean ;  let  our  school  houses  be  closed, 
and  not  again  opened  ;  let  our  academies  cease  to  be  fre- 
quented by  youth  ;  and  let  the  time-worn  walls  of  our  col- 
leges, which  are  now  the  glory  of  New  England,  fall,  and 
their  foundations  be  removed,  rather  than  have  religion 
separated  from  the  education  of  the  young.  Education 
without  religious  training,  will  make  men  greater  sinners,  a 
curse  to  their  species,  and  prepare  them  for  a  more  fearful 
retiibution.  The  Assembly^  Catechism  has  been  taught 
in  our  common  schools  for  more  than  one  hundred  years — 
from  the  beginning  to  the  present  day. 

The  temperance  reformation  early  gained  the  attention 
and  secured  the  efforts  of  this  church.  In  1828  the  church 


34 

passed  resolutions,  which  were  blessed  to  the  general  cor- 
rection of  some  practices  which  were  injurious  to  the  cause 
of  Christ,  and  the  order  and  prosperity  of  the  community. 
For  many  years,  the  united  efforts,  the  zeal  and  energy  here 
manifested,  in  this  cause  of  celestial  origin,  were  worthy 
of  imitation. 

July  10,  1845,  the  church  passed  the  following  resolu- 
tion : — "  Resolved,  that  we  earnestly  recommend  to  all  the 
members  of  the  church  to  adopt  the  principle  of  entire 
abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  drinks  as  a  beverage." 
Whether  this  recommendation  will  be  regarded  by  nearly 
all  the  members,  remains  to  be  decided. 

For  many  years  after  public  worship  was  established  in 
this  parish,  the  whole  congregation  rose,  and  while  standing 
united,  as  far  as  they  were  able,  in  praising  God  ;  the  min- 
ister, or  the  clerk,  lining  the  psalm  or  hymn.  It  has  been 
the  immemorial  practice  of  communicants  at  this  table  of 
the  Lord,  male  and  female,  after  receiving  the  sacramental 
elements,  to  come  to  the  deacon's  seat,  and  deposit  their 
contributions.  These  contributions,  after  defraying  the 
expenses  of  the  table,  have  been  appropriated  to  the  aid  of 
the  poor  of  the  church  and  other  charitable  objects. 

There  have  been  twelve  Deacons  of  this  church  since  its 
organization  : — Thomas  Adams,  Joseph  Long,  Phineas 
Strong,  Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  Jesse  Cook,  Nathaniel  Eells, 
Joseph  Talcott,  Jesse  Cook,  Arad  Talcott,  Selah  Loornis, 
Willard  Hutchison,  and  Joseph  Talcott. 

The  following  preachers  of  the  gospel  were  either  mem- 
bers of  this  church,  or  natives  of  this  parish  : — Rev.  Nathan 
Strong,  D.  D.,  Joseph  Strong,  D.  D.,  Messrs.  Thomas  Page, 
Ebenezer  Kingsbury,  Gershom  E.  Lyman,  Horatio  Waldo, 
Jacob  Allen,  Clement  Parker,  Hervey  Talcott,  Eber  Car- 
penter, Adclison  Kingsbury,  John  A.  Woodruff,  Marvin^ 
Root,  Nathan  S.  Hunt,  Diodatus  Babcock,  Episcopalian, 
Samuel  Post,  Methodist,  and  Mr.  Erwm  Page. 

Besides  most  of  those  already  mentioned  as  connected 
with  the  learned  professions*  of  our  citizens,  Elisha  Smith, 
Ephraim  Kingsbury,  Eleazer  P.  Talcott,  and  Henry  Pome- 


roy,  have  received  the  honors  of  college.  Also  Edwin 
Wright,  a  native  of  this  place. 

In  the  practice  of  medicine  we  have  retained  the  services 
of  the  following  gentlemen: — Timothy  Kimball,  Elijah 
Lyrnan,  John  Waldo,  Joseph  Waldo,  Daniel  Avery,  Eben- 
ezer  Hunt,  and  Eleazer  Hunt.  Here  originated  Drs.  Silas 
Loomis,  Lucius  Abbot,  Erastus  Jones,  Sanford  Bissel,  John 
B.  Porter,  Uriel  Richardson,  and  EbenezerK.  Hunt. 

No  person  while  engaged  in  the  profession  of  law,  has 
been  a  resident  of  this  place  ;  and  but  three  lawyers,  Hez- 
ekiah  Woodruff,  John  P.  Abbot,  and  Samuel  Woodruff, 
have  looked  back  to  North  Coventry  as  the  place  of  their 
nativity. 

In  concluding  this  discourse,  what  shall  we  say  of  our 
ancestors  and  their  works  ?  With  devout  thanksgiving  and 
praise  to  their  God  and  our  God,  we  will  say;  they  were 
faithful  to  their  trust  unto  the  death,  and  their  works  do 
follow  them.  The  blessed  influence  of  that  little  church, 
which  they  with  so  much  care  planted,  and  of  the  ministry 
of  the  gospel,  which  they  with  so  many  embarrassments 
established  here  in  the  wilderness  one  hundred  years  ago, 
has  been  felt  by  succeeding  generations,  and  it  is  still  expe- 
rienced. The  young  by  it  have  been  enlightened,  re- 
strained,  guided,  sanctified,  and  prepared  to  meet  the  con- 
flicts and  responsibilities  of  matured  life.  Families  have 
been  rendered  more  peaceful  and  happy ;  the  community 
more  intelligent,  enterprising,  orderly,  and  prosperous. 
The  various  ills  of  life,  and  the  appalling  scenes  of  death, 
have  been  met  with  more  fortitude,  and  cheerfulness.  And 
many  here  have  been  led  to  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith, 
who  are  now  engaged  in  an  uninterrupted  and  undying 
celebration  of  a  Saviour's  love. 

It  has  been  the  allotment  of  God's  providence,  that  this 
church  should  give  of  their  members  to  other  churches 
more  than  they  have  received  of  them  in  return.  From  this 
church  persons  have  gone  to  the  east  and  to  the  west,  to  the 
north  and  to  the  south;  to  different  and  distant  States;  and 
they  have  carried  with  them  a  measure  of  the  spirit  of  our 


fathers,  and  of  the  apostles,  with  which  they  have  blessed 
the  regions  where  they  have  dwelt.  One  church  in  the 
great  valley  of  the  west  has  received  its  type  from  this 
humble,  obscure  organization.  God  blessed  our  fathers,  he 
has  blessed  their  descendants,  and  he  has  caused  their  self- 
denying  attempts  to  serve  him  to  be  a  blessing  to  the  world. 

And  what  will  be  the  future  history  of  this  church  and 
people  ?  At  the  close  of  another  century,  what  will  be  the 
condition  of  those  institutions  which  our  fathers  planted  and 
watered  with  such  assiduous  care  and  so  many  prayers  1 
Nature  then  will  exhibit  her  varied  forms  as  now;  but  who 
then  will  be  here,  and  what  will  be  here  1  The  days  in 
which  we  live  are  portentious  of  great  and  disastrous  events. 
Convulsions  follow  convulsion.  Amidst  the  contentions  and 
commotions  which  agitate  to  the  centre  all  institutions,  shall 
the  church  live  and  flourish  another  century  1  Shall  the 
now  unborn  assembly  on  the  9th  day  of  October  1945, 
commemorate  with  pious  love  and  reverence  the  virtues  and 
deeds  of  their  ancestors  of  the  18th  century  1  We  enter- 
tain no  fears  for  the  church  universal.  She  shall  live  till 
centuries  have  all  passed  away.  Her  light  shall  be  as  the 
light  of  seven  days.  But  shall  this  branch  of  the  church 
universal — shall  the  constellation  of  churches  in  this  region, 
with  which  this  has  been  so  long  and  so  happily  connected, 
live  1  The  history  of  apostolical,  reformed  and  of  many 
Puritan  churches  admonish  us,  that  God  may  remove  the 
candlesticks  out  of  their  place,  and  suffer  thick  and  long 
continued  darkness  to  come  over  the  region  of  our  father's 
sepulchres. 

There  must  be  a  fixedness  of  principle,  a  tenderness  of 
conscience,  and  the  fear  of  God — there  must  be  self-deny- 
ing effort,  liberal  charity,  the  strengthening  of  the  things 
which  remain,  and  earnest  prayer  ;  or  these  churches  will 
be  stopped  in  their  descent  through  succeeding  generations 
to  bless  and  save  from  eternal  death  the  children  of  men. 
And  who  would  be  the  criminal  cause  of  terminating,  or 
interrupting  this  line  of  descent  1  Who,  by  his  hostility, 
or  neglect  of  duty  would  assume  the  responsibility  of  de- 


37 

stroying,  or  weakening  a  church  which  was  purchased  with 
the  blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  sanctified  by  the  Holy  Ghost, 
and  in  which  the  Deity  had  dwelt  for  one  hundred  years  1 
Oh,  let  this,  and  her  sister  churches  be  gently  and  prosper- 
ously wafted  down  the  stream  of  time  till  she  rides  majesti- 
cally on  the  sea  of  glory. 

Brethren  in  Christ  Jesus,  we  are  about  to  hand  over  the 
weighty  and  sacred  trust  committed  to  our  care  to  the  guar- 
dianship of  our  descendants.  God  grant  that  they  may  be 
prepared  to  receive,  duly  estimate,  rightly  improve,  and 
long  perpetuate  the  precious  inheritance.  What  is  before 
us  in  life,  the  opening  leaves  of  Providence  will  soon  dis- 
close. We  ask  for  the  conversion  and  salvation  of  our  chil- 
dren. We  ask  for  Zion's  prosperity.  We  ask  for  grace 
which  shall  enable  us  to  meet  all  the  exigencies  of  life  and 
of  death.  We  ask  for  heaven.  We  ask  no  more. 


3 


Ill  fatS"1, 


APPENDIX. 


A     BRIEF    ACCOUNT     OF    THE    SIGNERS    OF     THE   PROTEST     INSERTED 
ON    PAGE    13TH.* 

Nathaniel  Kingsbury  emigrated  from  Norwich  to  Coventry  about  the  year 
1714.  He  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  William  Kingsbury  of  An- 
dover.  He  was  first  to  sign  the  protest  against  the  town's  action  in  relation 
to  their  meeting  house  ;  and  two  and  a  half  years  after  the  incorporation  of 
this  society,  he  was  first  to  sign  a  petition  to  the  General  Assembly  for  the 
incorporation  of  the  society  of  Andover.  He,  and  others  residing  in  that 
part  of  Coventry,  which  is  embraced  in  the  parish  of  Andover,  as  circum- 
stances indicate,  were  dissatisfied  with  the  location  of  the  meeting  house  in 
this  society,  and  hence  were  induced  to  make  strenuous,  long  continued,  and 
finally  successful  efforts  to  effect  a  new  organization.  He  died  September 
16,  1763  in  the  SOth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  the  father  of  fourteen  children. 
John,  who  lived  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  Lester  Brewster,  afterwards 
removed  to  Enfield  and  was  drowned  while  attempting  to  pass  over  the  Con- 
necticut river  in  a  boat,  Nathaniel,  Mary  who  was  the  wife  of  Elijah  Ham- 
mond, Simeon,  Jabez,  Hannah,  Priscilla  who  married  Dea.  Ebenezer  Kings- 
bury,  Joseph,  Denison,  Lemuel,  Jeremiah  who  died  in  early  life,  Sarah, 
Phineas,  and  Ruth  who  died  aged  14  years. 

Elijah  Hammond  emigrated  from  Marblehead,  Mass,  to  Coventry  in  1730, 
or  in  1732.  He  first  settled  on  the  farm  now  occupied  by  Messrs.  Wheeler 
and  Shepherd,  formerly  denominated,  the  Risley  and  more  recently  the  Tar- 
box  place,  where  he  lived  till  1752,  when  he  removed  to  Bolton,  and  there 
died  about  1SOO,  in  the  90th  year  of  his  age.  He  had  three  children  ;  Na- 
thaniel, Hannah,  and  Priscilla. 

John  French  occupied  a  tract  of  land  a  short  distance  east  of  Rev.  Rodol- 
phus  Landfear's.  It  is  not  known  from  what  place,  or  at  what  period  he  em- 
igrated to  Coventry.  In  1736  he  was  married  to  Mehitable,  daughter  of 
Thomas  Root,  Deacon  of  the  First  Church.  He  removed  to  Wapping,  a  parish 
in  South  Windsor,  where  he  died.  He  had  at  least  two  children,  Aaron  and 
Nathan. 


*  For  the  materials  of  this  Account  1  am  much  indebted  to  Rev.  Marvin  Root,  who  has 
collected  many  and  valuable  facts  connected  with  the  history  of  this  town,  the  preservatior 
of  which  should  be  secured. 


40 

Nathaniel  Ladd  was  one  of  those,  who  signed  the  [protest,  but  in  the 
division  of  the  town  he  was  set  to  the  First  Society.  His  residence  was  a 
short  distance  west  of  Mr.  Stephen  Dunham's.  Two  gentlemen  of  this 
name  early  settled  in  this  parish.  The  other  lived  on  the  south  not  far  from 
the  dwelling  of  Capt.  Silas  Jones. 

Jonathan  Fowler  emigrated  from  Lebanon  and  settled  on  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Mr.  William  C.  Hunt  in  1726.  He  was  a  giant,  and  became  re- 
nouned  by  his  feats  of  muscular  strength.  Alone,  and  without  a  weapon  of 
defence,  he  was  met  and  attacked  by  a  bear.  The  combatants  closed  in  with 
each  other,  and  Mr.  Fowler  laid  his  antagonist  dead  at  his  feet  A  represen- 
tation of  this  conflict,  and  victory  is  exhibited  in  one  of  the  museums  of  Lon- 
don. He  died  in  1756,  about  60  years  of  age,  leaving  a  son  and  daughter, 
Joel  and  Tabitha. 

Eliphalet  Carpenter  was  born  at  Northampton,  Mass.,  October  1703.  His 
father,  Benjamin  Carpenter,  emigrated  from  Rehoboth  to  Northampton,  and 
thence  to  this  town  where  he  died,  leaving  six  sons,  Eliphalet,  Noah,  Amos, 
Jedediah,  Ebenezer,  and  Benjamin.  Eliphalet,  in  1726,  settled  on  the  farm 
now  owned  by  his  grand-son,  Ralph  Carpenter,  Esq.  He  was  the  first  clerk 
of  this  society,  and  was  for  many  years  much  employed  in  managing  its 
concerns. 

JVoah  Carpenter,  son  of  Benjamin,  was  born  at  Northampton  in  1705.  He 
settled  in  the  nort-west  part  of  the  town,  near  the  line  of  Tolland,  and  the 
house  which  he  occupied  and  which  was  afterwards  consumed  by  fire,  was 
situated  not  far  from  that  now  owned  by  Mr.  Chester  Baker  on  the  road  to 
Tolland.  His  sons  were  Abner,  Ezra,  Israel  and  Benjamin. 

Benjamin  Carpenter  was  brother  of  Noah,  and  was  born  October  1695. 
In  1724  or  in  1725  he  settled  on  a  lot  of  land  lying  between  Mr.  Isaac  Ken- 
ney's  and  the  west  school  house.  He  had  nine  sons,  Benjamin,  Jonathan, 
Elijah,  Levi,  Reuben,  (grand  father  of  Rev.  Eber  Carpenter,)  Joseph,  Dan, 
Jesse  and  Comfort 

John  Craw  emigrated  from  Killingworth  and  probably  settled  somewhere 
in  the  parish  of  Andover. 

John  Hawkins  came  from  Preston,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by 
Mr.  Eliezer  Hatch.  He  early  sold  his  place  to  Benjamin  Lamb.  He  had 
two  sons  and  two  daughters.  One  daughter  married  Lemuel  Parker,  and  the 
other  James  Edwards.  The  names  of  his  sons  were  John  and  George. 

John  Parker  emigrated  from'Stonington.and  occupied  the  farm  now  owned 
by  Capt.  Flavel  Case.  He  was  son  of  Samuel  Parker,  Deacon  of  the  First 
Church. 

Peter  Scott  was  from  Franklin,  and  was  the  first  occupant  of  the  farm  now 
owned  by  Mr.  Jabez  Kingsbury.  In  1761  he  sold  his  place  to  Ephraim 
Kingsbury  Esq.,  and  returned  to  Franklin. 

JVoah  Skinner  settled  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Daniel  Usher. 
He  had  one  son,  Noah  Skinner,  jun. 

Amos  Richardson  married  Rachel  Yarrington  of  Long  Island,  and  emi- 
grated from  Stonington  to  Coventry  in  1717.  At  that  period  there  was  no 
house  in  the  east  school  district,  and  but  one  within  the  present  limits  of  the 


41 

parish.  He  settled  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  one  of  his  descendants  of  the 
fourth  generation,  Levi  Sweetland,  Esq.  He  had  twelve  children,  among 
whom  were  Amos,  Stephen,  Justus,  Nathan  and  Jonathan. 

Samuel Lyman emigrated  from  Northampton  Mass. .first  to  Lebanon, then 
to  Coventry.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  this  parish,  and  settled 
on  the  place  now  owned  by  Mr.  Chester  Talcott,  and  there  erected  the  second 
house  which  was  built  in  the  east  school  district.  He  had  one  son  Samuel, 
and  four  daughters.  Eunice  the  wife  of  Joseph  Talcott,  Elizabeth  the  wife 
of  Benjamin  Talcott,  Dorcas  the  wife  of  Ezekiel  Alcott,  and  Desire  the  wife 
of  a  Mr.  Strong. 

Jonathan  Porter  wag  the  son  of  Thomas  Porter,  the  second  town  clerk. 
The  Porter  family  came  from  Hebron,  and  located  themselves  in  the  First 
Society  on  the  place  now  occupied  by  John  W.  Boynton,  Esq.  In  1725, 
Jonathan  removed  to  the  lot  of  land  now  owned  by  Mr.  Warren  Fitch,  and 
denominated,  the  Deacon  Porter  place.  He  died  in  1790.  He  had  seven 
children,  Thomas,  Jonathan,  Isaiah,  Noah,  Sarah,  Mary  and  Phebe. 

John  Wilson  was  the  first  settler  on  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  Ebenezer 
Hunt.  Among  his  children  was  Capt.  William  Wilson  who  died  in  this 
place  in  1819,  aged  90  years. 

Ebenezer  Brown  emigrated  from  Rehoboth  Mass.,  and  settled  on  the  farm 
now  in  possession  of  Deacon  Joseph  Talcott.  His  house  was  on  the  division 
line  between  the  parishes,  and  was  by  the  act  of  incorporation  set  to  the  Second 
Society.  Among  his  children  were  Ebenezer,  Timothy  and  Sarah. 

Samuel  Porter  came  to  Coventry  from  Windsor.  He  occupied  the  farm 
now  possessed  by  Mr.  Simon  Gager,  and  was  grand-father  to  Mrs.  Gager.  He 
had  ten  children,  six  sons  and  four  daughters.  His  sons  were,  Samuel, 
James,  Gideon,  Nathan,  Abel,  and  one  who  died  young.  His  daughters  were 
Chloe,  Sarah,  Anna  and  Mary. 

Thomas  Jldams  was  elected  Deacon  of  the  church  at  the  time  of  its  or- 
ganization, and  honored  his  office.  He  lived  a  short  distance  west  of  Mr. 
Higgenbothan's  grist  mill.  It  is  not  known  that  he  left  any  descendants  in 
the  town,  and  but  little  is  known  respecting  him. 

Nathaniel  Woodward  originated  in  Roxbury,  Mass.  He  lived  a  short 
time  in  Wethersfield,  and  from  that  town  came  to  Coventry,  and  settled  near 
the  north-east  school  house,  on  the  farm  which  has  ever  since  been  possessed 
by  his  descendants  of  the  same  name.  He  was  moderator  in  1740  when  this 
ecclesiastical  society  was  organized.  Late  in  life  he  removed  to  Stafford 
where  he  died.  He  had  two  sons,  Nathaniel  and  Aaron. 

Jonathan  Shepherd  occupied  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  J.  P.  Walker. 
He  early  associated  himself  with  the  Baptist  denomination.  He  had  one  son, 
Colo,  and  two  daughters,  Prudence  the  wife  of  John  Ladd,  and  Anna. 

Joseph  Long  was  from  Hartford,  and  was  elected  Deacon  at  the  time  of  the 
church's  organization.  He  sustained  this  office  in  an  acceptable  manner  for 
many  years,  and  died  in  a  good  old  age.  He  resided  not  far  from  the  dwell- 
ing occupied  by  the  late  Mr.  Oliver  Long. 

Phineas  Strong  the  son  of  Joseph  Strong  Esq.,  and  grand-son  of  Thomas 
Strong  was  born  in  Northampton,  Mass.  With  his  father  he  emigrated  to 


Coventry  in  1717.  In  Nov.  1724  he  was  married  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Dea. 
Samuel  Parker  of  the  First  Society.  He  succeeded  Deacon  Thomas  Adams, 
and  officiated  in  the  office  of  Deacon  for  many  years.  He  was  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  and  was  much  employed  in  ecclesiastical  and  civil  matters.  He 
lived  on  the  ground  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Tracy  Loomis.  The  names  of  his 
children  were,  Phineas,  Mary,  Sarah,  Azulah,  Ozias,  Jerusha,  Irene,  Elisha, 
Elijah,  Beulah  and  Hannah.  Azulah  married  Thomas  Page,  and  was  the 
mother  of  the  late  Capt.  Gad  Page. 

Aaron  Strong  belonged  to  the  family  of  Strongs,  who  emigrated  from 
Northampton,  and  settled  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  north  of  Deacon  Willard 
Hutchison's.  A  man  of  the  same  name,  afterwards, -lived  inBolton. 

Benjamin  Jones  came  from  Northampton  and  settled  on  the  farm  now 
occupied  by  Mr.  Willard  Loomis  of  Andover.  His  descendants  in  Coventry 
are  numerous. 

Samuel  Parker  was  son  of  Deacon  Samuel  Parker,  and  brother  of  John 
Parker.  He  lived  within  the  bounds  of  Andover. 

Nathaniel  Gilbert  was  moderator  of  a  society  meeting,  June  21,  f!742, 
when  the  society  authorized  members  of  the  church,  %nd  heads  of  families 
to  invite  certain  ministers  to  preach  in  this  parish.  As  we  do  not  find  his 
name  on  our  records  but  a  short  time  after  this  period,  it  is  inferred  that  he 
was  one  of  the  petitioners  for  a  new  society  and  resided  in  Andover. 

James  Hotchkis  probably  lived  in  Andover.  I  cannot  learn  any  thing 
respecting  him. 

John  Bissel  emigrated  from  Lebanon  in  1716,  and  settled  on  the  farm  now 
in  the  possession  of  Capt.  Silas  Jones.  He  was  the  first  settler  in  the  parish, 
and  Capt.  Jones'  farm  was  the  first  which  yielded  to  the  efforts  of  the  cultiva- 
tor. He  possessed  a  large  estate,  had  two  daughters ;  one  married  Jonathan, 
and  the  other  married  Israel  Fowler. 


THE  CELEBRATION. 

From  the  New  England  Puritan. 

One  hundred  years  having  elapsed  since  the  formation  of  the  Church  in 
North  Coventry,  Ct,  that  event  was  commemorated  by  public  religious  servi- 
ces, agreeably  to  previous  arrangements,  on  Thursday,  October  9th.  Notwith- 
standing the  heavy  rain  in  the  former  part  of  the  day,  a  large  congregation 
assembled  at  the  meeting-house  at  11  o'clock.  Numbers  were  present  from 
neighboring  parishes,  and  some  from  distant  places  in  the  State  and  country. 
Great  interest  was  evidently  felt  in  the  occasion,  and  in  the  transactions  of 
the  day. 

First,  the  Divine  blessing  was  invoked  by  Rev.  Dr.  Nott,  of  Franklin,  now 
in  the  92d  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  65th  of  his  ministry.  Then,  portions 
of  the  Scriptures  were  read  by  Rev.  Chauncey  Booth,  of  South  Coventry,  and 


43 

the  choir  sung  the  121st  Psalm,  P.  M.,  "  Upward  I  lift  my  eyes,"  &c.,  in  old 
Lenox.  After  prayer,  in  which  the  congregation  were  led  by  Mr.  Booth,  the 
following  Hymn,  composed  by  Rev.  J.  Lee,  of  Salisbury,  was  sung  in  China : 

"  Our  fathers'  God,  our  thanks  we  pay 

That  here  thy  church  arose  ; 
To  share  thy  love,  and  own  thy  sway, 

Secure  from  all  her  foes  ; 
That  church  has  seen  a  century's  flight, 

While  kingdoms  rose  and  fell, 
And  though  their  thrones  are  sunk  in  night, 

She  lives  thy  power  to  tell. 

Her  table  in  the  wilderness 

By  thy  kind  hand  was  spread, 
With  heavenly  food  her  sons  to  bless, 

As  Israel's  tribes  were  fed ; 
And  in  affliction's  darkest  day 

Her  shepherd,  as  of  old, 
Led  on  the  flock  in  his  right  way, 

And  guarded  well  the  fold. 

Our  fathers'  God,  their  children  own, 

Nor  frown  us  from  thy  face  ; 
Look  down  and  bless  us  from  thy  throne, 

And  show  thy  power  and  grace  ; 
And  though  in  dust  we  soon  shall  dwell, 

Still  bless  thy  heritage, 
That  sons  to  sons  thy  love  may  tell 

Through  every  coming  age." 

This  was  succeeded  by  an  Historical  Address  by  Rev.  G.  A.  Calhoun,  who 
has  been  pastor  over  this  church  for  26  years.  About  the  middle  of  his 
address  the  speaker  rested,  while  the  choir  sung  the  l&th  Psalm,  C.  M.,  by 
Sternhold  and  Hopkins,  "  The  Lord  descended  from  above,"  &c.,  in  Majesty. 
After  prayer,  by  Rev.  J.  Allen,  of  Sterling,  formerly  a  member  of  the  church 
in  North  Coventry,  the  79th  Psalm,  C.  M.,  in  Rouse's  version,  "  Attend  my 
people,  to  my  law,"  &c.,  was  sung. 

A  short  recess  was  then  had,  when  the  numerous  professed  Christians 
present,  united  in  observing  the  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  First,  the 
262d  Hymn  in  Dwight's  selection,  "  On  Jordan's  rugged  banks  I  stand,  &c." 
was  sung  in  the  tune  of  old  Jordan.  The  ordinance  was  administered  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Nott,  and  by  Rev.  H.  Talcott,  of  Portland,  Ct.,  and  addresses  were  made 
by  Rev.  A.  Collins,  of  Preston  City,  and  Rev.  E.  Carpenter,  of  Southbridge, 
Mass.  Messrs.  Talcott  and  Carpenter,  were  formerly  connected  with  the 
church  in  North  Coventry.  The  communicants  sung  the  Hymn,  "  'Twas  on 
that  dark,  that  doleful  night,  &c."  And  after  the  addresses  the  choir  sung  as 


a  Doxology,  two  stanzas  of  the  Hymn,  "  All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name, 
&c.,"  in  New  Jerusalem.  The  closing  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Nott. 

I  have  referred  so  particularly  to  the  singing,  because  it  added  so  much  to 
the  interest  of  the  occasion,  and  was  so  prominent  a  part  of  the  transactions. 
Among  the  choir  were  a  number  considerably  advanced  in  years,  some  of 
whom  had  occupied  the  singers'  seats  twenty-five,  thirty,  and  even  forty  years 
ago.  Voices  of  the  aged  and  of  the  young  united  in  the  delightful  harmony, 
and  with  great  animation  and  effect,  sung  the  ancient  songs  of  Zion,  in  the 
tunes  which  aided  the  devotions  of  the  last  generation, — of  our  fathers  now 
reposing  in  the  grave,  or  rather,  as  we  trust,  singing  the  praises  of  God  and  the 
Lamb  on  golden  harps  in  the  temple  of  God  above. 

After  the  public  religious  services,  the  congregation  were  invited  to  repair 
to  the  Conference  house  and  Academy  near,  to  partake  of  a  collation  there 
prepared.  A  great  variety  and  abundance  of  food  was  provided ;  many  arti- 
cles of  which, — together  with  the  style  in  which  it  was  served, — reminded  us 
of  olden  times.  At  the  head  of  one  of  the  tables  was  seated  the  venerable 
patriarch  before  mentioned,  by  whom  the  Divine  blessing  was  asked.  He  was 
furnished  with  a  pewter  platter,  which  once  belonged  to  Rev.  Samson  Occum, 
the  celebrated  Indian  preacher,  and  also  with  a  napkin,  made  one  hundred 
and  fifty  years  ago,  by  a  lady  in  Boston,  who  has  been  dead  more  than  a  cen- 
tury. Much  of  the  furniture  of  the  table  was  of  pewter,  such  as  our  mother's 
used  ;  and  cake  was  served,  made  from  a  receipt  used  a  century  ago;  nor  was 
"  bean  porridge,"  the  favorite  dish  of  our  ancestors,  wanting. 

In  the  evening  there  was  also  a  public  religious  meeting.  Prayer  was 
offered  by  Rev.  Mr.  Potter,  former  missionary  of  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  among  the 
Cherokees,  now  employed  as  agent  of  the  Board  in  Tennessee.  A  very  appro- 
priate discourse  was  delivered  by  Rev.  J.  Allen,  from  Ps.  cxi.:  4;  and  the  con- 
cluding prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Woodruff,  of  Rock  Island,  Illinois, 
son  of  Rev.  E.  T.  Woodruff,  a  former  pastor  of  this  church. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  great  and  lasting  good  will  result  from  this  celebra- 
tion. It  must  make  the  present  generation  cherish  with  more  care  the  mem- 
ory of  their  pious  ancestors.  It  must  render  us  more  solicitous  to  transmit  to 
future  times  the  religious  principles  and  privileges,  which  we  have  received 
from  them. 

A  vote  was  passed,  adjourning  the  meeting  to  Oc4.  9th,  1945,  a  century 
hence.  Who  shall  live,  and  what  shall  be,  when  that  day  shall  arrive  ? 


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